It’s almost time for European Mobility Week! The week where you are encouraged to get involved with sustainable transport and mobility. Moving on public transport, on your bike or on your feet! This year the theme for the week is ‘Smart and sustainable mobility – an investment for Europe’.
Basically it’s about anything that involves reducing your carbon footprint and pollution in the environment. And while this could often mean leaving the car at home, car sharing is also encouraged. If you are going to the same place, what’s the point in taking two cars anyway?
This also focuses on the use of green vehicles. For example, the Toyota Prius is a popularly sold hybrid car – meaning it’s half run on fossil fuels and half electric or hydrogen-powered.
Of course people aren’t likely to make these changes until they are convinced the threats are real. Which is why it’s going to be so important to raise awareness!
Citizens of towns and cities will have the opportunity to voice their concerns on the impact of emissions on the environment and express the changes they want to see.
In 2009 the Action Plan on Urban Mobility’ was launched and this year the aims will be highlighted once again.
Previous research collected has shown that 9 out of 10 people living under the EU want to see changes made to urban transport. But these changes can only happen if local and national authorities are willing to work together.
In 2011 2,268 towns and cities took part – with Bologna in Italy being crowned the winner! It was demonstrations of clean alternativies to the use of cars and the involvement of local people and much more that earned them the title!
In 2014 over 2,000 cities registered to take part, and in recent years the campaign has spread from Europe to across the world, with Argentina, South Korea and Canada participating.
To find out more about how you can get involved in European Mobility Week visit the website.