Public awareness


INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CINERAIL

European Mobility Week

European Mobility Week has been running for six years and aims to influence mobility and urban transport issues for the long-term as well as to improve health and quality of life of European citizens. It is organised each year from 16 to 22 September and represents a perfect opportunity to present sustainable alternatives to European citizens, to explain the challenges that cities and towns are facing in order to induce a change of behaviour and make progress towards a more sustainable transport strategy for Europe. It gives people space to think about what our urban streets are really for and to debate concrete solutions for tackling urban challenges such as air pollution.

European Mobility Week Award

From 16 to 22 September 2009, a record number of 2175 European cities from 39 different countries took part in the 8thedition of the European Mobility Week, inviting their citizens to a wide range of activities fostering sustainable mobility. The central theme, “Improving City Climates” wanted to encourage citizens and authorities to fight against global warming by opting for sustainable transport modes.

All participating cities complying with the criteria of the European Mobility Week Charter had then the possibility to apply for the European Mobility Week Award. This award yearly rewards the city that best provided awareness and carried out activities to promote sustainable city transport. An independent jury examined a total of 29 applications and selected 10 local authorities. Of these, 3 “particularly outstanding” cities were retained as finalists for the 2010 European Mobility Week Award:

- Gävle (Sweden)
- Ivanic Grad (Croatia)
- León (Spain)
- Bologna (Italy)
- Zagreb (Croatia)
- Hamburg (Germany)
- London City (United Kingdom)
- Östersund (Sweden)
- Arenas de San Pedro (Spain)
- Murcia (Spain)

In order to shortlist the best cities, the jury paid particular attention to the quality of activities related to the central theme of the European Mobility Week but also to the comprehensiveness of the action plan regarding the events organized . The jury also considered the promotion and communication of the Week towards the citizens and the innovative side of the permanent measures introduced to develop sustainable mobility on the occasion of the Week.

And the winner is…

On the occasion of the Award ceremony held on 23rd March, the city of Gävle, Sweden won the 2009 European Mobility Week Award. This Baltic coastal city, which counts only 90 000 inhabitants, was rewarded for its innovative approach to encouraging sustainable urban mobility, both through traditional activities and social media. Indeed, next to the organisation of seminars promoting sustainable travel, free chocolate for commuters and a cycle race, Gävle used new social media in order to increase citizens’ awareness. Among other initiatives, the city had its own blogger who travelled in the region either by bus, train, walking or cycling and then, shared her experience on the blog. A video diary of the week’s events was also prepared and used as a promotional tool.

The 2010 campaign theme:  “Travel Smarter, Live Better!”

The EMW 2010 campaign will put a special focus on the theme of transport and health, as reflected in the official slogan of the campaign “Travel Smarter, Live Better”. The election of such a theme aims at launching a call both to local authorities to pay more attention to the influence of travel policies on the urban environment and to citizens so that they make smarter travel choices. “Travel Smarter, Live Better” will emphasize the noxious effects that current transportation trends have on health and the environment. It will so foster European urban citizens to travel “smarter” by walking, cycling and using public transport instead of relying on private cars.

The European Mobility Week will take place next 16-22 September and will coincide with the celebrations of UITP 125 years on the Car-free Sunday (19 September).

Local actions:
Local authorities have a crucial role to play in the implementation of national and European legislation. An integrated transport policy and travel plans fostering sustainable mobility are fundamental to protect citizens from harmful air pollution

Local authorities could take the following actions to improve city climates:
- Plan the city so that people do not need to travel so far or so often.
- Develop a sustainable urban mobility plan.
- Restrict car access and parking in certain areas.
- Introduce low emission zones.
- Introduce a standard urban 30kph speed limit.
- Abolish fast multi-lane one-way systems.
- Work with local businesses to help them establish workplace travel plans.
- Work with schools to develop school travel plans.
- Invest in public transport to ensure it is of high quality, frequent, reliable, punctual, safe and clean as well as   affordable.
- Ensure that pedestrians and cyclists can move safely and directly around the city (for example permit cyclists to   use one-way streets in both directions).
- Set a future date for zero road deaths target.  
- Undertake information campaigns to encourage citizens and businesses to reduce their car use.
- Exchange best practice on sustainable mobility with other cities in Europe.
- Monitor air quality and publish results on a regular basis.

UITP fully recognises the importance of raising awareness on the environmental impacts of everyone’s modal choice and encouraging the use of sustainable modes of transport. This is why we invite all our members to participate in this event and take this opportunity to promote public transport.

For plenty of ideas and inspiration to get involved, read our Core Brief on European Mobility Week.

Following EMW 2002, UITP has compiled a report ‘Public Transport Initiatives for the European Mobility Week’. Click here to read it.

Click here to visit the official European Mobility Week website

For more information, please contact UITP Communications Department:
Géraldine Dumonceau | Communications & Publications Assistant