European Mobility Week: Promoting Sustainable Transport
As every year, this year’s European Mobility Week took place from September 16 to 22 in numerous cities, aiming to raise awareness about sustainable transportation. Sustainable mobility – or sustainable transport – seeks to facilitate individuals’ ability to reach their destinations through methods that are more beneficial to the environment and society. This involves prioritizing environmentally friendly transport options such as walking, cycling, public transport, and electric vehicles, while reducing the use of private cars that significantly contribute to environmental pollution and climate change. The goal is to provide people with safer, healthier, and more connected living spaces where they can move freely without harming the environment.
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“Shared Public Spaces” Theme for Accessible and Sustainable Cities
European Mobility Week is celebrated each year with a specific theme, and this year’s theme was “Shared Public Spaces.”
Under the slogan “Living Together in the City!”, the week aimed to reclaim public spaces such as parks, streets, and sidewalks for everyone, transforming them into safer and more sustainable areas where communities can thrive. Additionally, awareness activities were conducted to encourage more sustainable and healthy transportation methods like walking, cycling, and public transport.
Mobility Week Events in European Cities
This year, over 2,600 towns and cities from 45 countries participated in European Mobility Week with various activities aligned with the year’s theme.
In Madrid, Spain, numerous activities highlighted the importance of sustainable urban transport. The program included exhibitions, talks, bike rides, and walking tours, offering interactive experiences to encourage citizens to adopt eco-friendly transport options like walking, cycling, and public transit. Throughout the week, Madrid not only celebrated its transportation heritage but also sought to raise awareness for a sustainable urban mobility future.
In Lyon, France, a cycling training program called “Vélo-école de la Métropole de Lyon” was held on September 16. This evening course provided participants with theoretical education to learn the basics of cycling safely and independently in traffic. The training covered key components of bicycles and their terminology, proper adjustments for safe use, cyclist and bike equipment, and basic road safety rules. This initiative gave participants the essential skills and confidence to start cycling safely.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, hosted various activities, including a Design Workshop for Children, a Clean Air Walk, and Roundtable Discussions. The Designathon workshop encouraged children aged 10-12 to develop creative solutions for public space challenges and present their ideas to the deputy mayor and their parents. During the Clean Air Walk, participants explored streets and green spaces, learning about air quality and greenery in the city. The roundtable discussions brought together urban residents and entrepreneurs to address commuting challenges in dense cities and propose solutions to economic, ecological, and social issues.
Promoting Cycling and Creative Transportation Projects for Children
In Lisbon, Portugal, various events aimed to encourage cycling among students. Discussions at schools focused on the benefits of cycling to school and how to ensure safe urban transportation. These initiatives gained significant attention across the city, raising awareness among younger generations about safe cycling.
The CARRIS Zero Emissions exhibition, held at Praça do Comércio, showcased Lisbon’s strategies for decarbonizing its public transport system, offering visitors insights into the future of sustainable mobility. On September 22, the Arroios Moov Festival celebrated mobility with workshops, performances, and family-oriented activities.
In cities like Sered (Slovakia), Cesena (Italy), Brussels (Belgium), and Celje (Slovenia), children promoted sustainable mobility through creative ways to get to school. Projects like School Streets, interactive painted pathways, and walking bus initiatives allowed children to travel to school safely and enjoyably. These activities stood out as effective steps to encourage public transportation and sustainable travel options.
Car-Free Day and the Future of Sustainable Transport
The largest Car-Free Day event in Europe, held in the Brussels-Capital Region, once again offered a vibrant program for all residents on Sunday, September 22. Activities included a special women’s cycling event aimed at increasing the visibility of women in public spaces and encouraging more people to ride bicycles. The Kidical Mass Parade, designed to inspire children and families to cycle together, also took place on the same day.
The Mobility Village on Boulevard de Waterloo allowed participants to explore over 40 mobility services available in Brussels, including public transport, taxis, shared vehicles, and e-bikes. Activities included test tracks, children’s events, and informative sessions about eco-friendly transport options. This special day provided participants with an enjoyable experience to explore sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation alternatives.
This year’s European Mobility Week had a significant impact in many cities, encouraging behavior changes toward healthier and more sustainable transportation and showcasing the tangible benefits of reducing car dependency in urban areas. The outcomes of Mobility Week will serve as a foundation for future policy-making processes to create more sustainable, accessible, and livable cities.
