The European Mobility Week is the European Commission’s awareness-raising campaign to promote clean and sustainable urban transport that comes to towns and cities across Europe and beyond starting from 16 to 22 September. Around 3000 towns and cities from approximately 50 countries will participate by hosting events on the theme “Safe and healthy with sustainable mobility” and giving people the opportunity to explore the role of mobility in their daily lives by experimenting with clean transport modes. Notably, the campaign supports the use of public transport as a safe, efficient, affordable, and low-emission mobility solution for everyone.

This year’s European Mobility Week followed the theme: Safe and Healthy with Sustainable Mobility and pays tribute to the hardships felt by Europe – and the world – throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It also reflected on the opportunities for change resulting from this unprecedented health crisis in Europe. Cities and urban administrations have established creative, resilient responses to the pandemic. This year, European Mobility Week celebrated the resilience of cities and their achievements while seeking to sustain this momentum.

TWO DECADES OF INSPIRATION

The virtual museum showcased the history of the campaign, the impact it has achieved, and its links to the European Commission’s broader goals, such as the European Green Deal. The museum also highlighted personal stories of behavioural change, illustrating how European Mobility Week has inspired residents from across Europe to adapt their mobility habits in favour of active mobility, public transport, and other clean, intelligent transport solutions.

‘I want to thank the thousands of towns and cities that have participated in the campaign to date. Not only does your commitment help ensure our urban areas become greener and cleaner, but it also helps communities to stay safe and healthy during these challenging times,’ said EU Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean. ‘A clean, smart and resilient transport system is at the core of our economies and central to people’s lives. This is why, on the 20th anniversary of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, I am proud of the 3000 cities across Europe and beyond for showcasing how safe and sustainable transport options help our communities to stay connected during these challenging times.’

“A clean, smart and resilient transport system is at the core of our economies and central to people’s lives. This is why, on the 20th anniversary of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, I am proud of the 3000 cities across Europe and beyond for showcasing how safe and sustainable transport options help our communities to stay connected during these challenging times,” said EU Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean.

INITIATIVES ACROSS EUROPE

The European Mobility Week provided an opportunity for local governments across Europe (and beyond) to invite residents to try out active mobility options and discover the benefit of sustainable forms of transport.

• This year, The Hague (Netherlands) collected and repair old and abandoned bicycles found in the city and donate them to people who cannot afford to buy their own.
• Trelleborg (Sweden) celebrated EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK by organising an exhibition on electric and hydrogen cars and electric bicycles.
• In Bremen (Germany), the city transformed several car parking spaces into parklets – areas where residents can meet to socialise, play sports, or discuss urban mobility. The city will also organise a film night ride. A cinema screen is transported around the city by cargo bicycle, stopping in different locations to screen films highlighting this year’s theme: “Safe and healthy with sustainable mobility.”
• Râmnicu Vâlcea (Romania) organised climate change workshops with students aged 16-17 and manage campaigns for school children aged 6-10 to encourage them to travel to school more sustainably.
• Alicante (Spain) set up bicycle repair stations across the city and organise several activities to promote safe cycling.

Discover what your town or city did to celebrate European Mobility Week here.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION – NEW URBAN MOBILITY FRAMEWORK

To help the EU build on its 2013 Urban Mobility Package and meet the 2050 climate targets, a new urban mobility framework will propose measures to encourage the EU Member States to develop safe, accessible, inclusive, affordable, smart, and smart urban transport systems resilient, and emission-free. The initiative will also address transport pollution and congestion and draw lessons from the impact of COVID-19 on public transport to support the transition to a climate-neutral economy and emission-free transportation at the local level. The European Commission invites the general public and stakeholders to express their opinion on this new initiative.

AWARD APPLICATIONS OPEN

Once European Mobility Week comes to a close, towns and cities in Europe will have the chance to apply for one or more of the three European Commission Sustainable Urban Mobility Awards. The deadline to apply for the EU Urban Road Safety Award, the Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning Award, and the European Mobility Week Award is Sunday 31 October.

Source: European Commission