The table illustrates changes in the distance travelled by various modes of transport in England between 1985 and 2000. Overall, the total distance covered by all modes rose from 4,740 to 6,475 miles. Car travel was by far the most popular method, experiencing the most substantial growth, while walking and cycling saw slight declines.
In 1985, car travel accounted for 3,199 miles, which increased dramatically to 4,806 miles by 2000. Other modes that saw growth included long-distance buses, which more than doubled from 54 to 124 miles, and trains, which rose from 289 to 366 miles. Taxi usage also grew notably, rising from 13 to 42 miles, while the 'other' category increased from 450 to 585 miles.
Conversely, some modes experienced a downward trend. Walking decreased from 255 to 237 miles, and bicycle usage fell from 51 to 41 miles. Local bus travel saw the most significant decline among all categories, dropping from 429 miles in 1985 to 274 miles in 2000. In summary, while most transport methods saw increased usage, the reliance on private cars intensified, whereas public local transport and non-motorised travel became less frequent.