European Mobility Week aims to improve health and quality of life by promoting environmentally sustainable choices in urban mobility and transport.
European Mobility Week Activities
This European initiative creates an opportunity to implement a wide range of activities and represents a platform for local authorities to:
promote existing policies, initiatives and best practices related to sustainable urban mobility
contribute to raising citizens’ awareness on the damages that current urban mobility trends have on the environment and quality of life
establish performing partnerships with local stakeholders
be part of a Europe wide campaign, sharing a common goal and a common identity with other towns and cities
emphasize local commitment towards sustainable urban transport policies
test new transport measures for a trial period
launch new longer term policies and measures
’Streets for people’, the theme for Mobility week this year, encourages local authorities to give more space on roads to non or less polluting forms of transport such as walking, cycling, using public transportation, and car-sharing. Each participating city must adopt at least one permanent measure, such as a new cycle lane.
European Mobility Week Measures
A wide range of permanent sustainable mobility measures have been planned by European cities including:
traffic speed reduction programs in areas around schools
improvements to public cycling networks and bicycle parking facilities
the launch of online car-pooling and car-sharing schemes
the creation of curbside ramps for wheelchairs
One of the highlights of Mobility Week will be Car-Free Day. Various municipalities in most EU member states plan to take part in this day and other initiatives to promote low- or no-pollution forms of mobility.
“Fighting climate change and improving air quality are fundamental to our future well-being. European mobility week is helping to ensure that people in cities and towns can enjoy better air quality” said environment commissioner Stavros Dimas. These initiatives all help to make urban areas more liveable.
The European Mobility Week 2007 is sponsored by three non-governmental organizations that specialize in urban environmental issues: Eurocities, Energie-Cités, and Climate Alliance. DG Environment provides financial support and organizes the annual awards presentation for municipalities that implement the best new program.
For further information:
European Mobility Week 2007
DG Environment website: Clean Air
Eurocities
Climate Alliance
Energie-Cités
Related EPHA articles:
EU Commission urges EU states to reduce CO2 emissions
EU Commission launches Green Paper on climate change
"Dirty air and your lungs"- a HEAL and ELF Factsheet for children
