Experiencing EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK for the first time is an unforgettable event. Participants’ and organisers’ commitment to raising awareness about sustainable mobility througout the year, and during the main event from 16 to 22 September, is inspiring. That’s why we sat down (virtually) with Aistė Gadliauskaitė, the National Coordinator for Lithuania, to learn more about her first ever EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK.

You joined EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK as a National Coordinator this year. What was your first impression of the campaign?

I had heard about EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK before, but I didn't know that not only European countries but also countries from other continents participate in this campaign. This broad involvement of countries made me realise the international importance of the event.

Although the campaign is quite well-known in Lithuania, as a new person I wanted to bring new wind. Of course to do that, you need to understand the steps involved in organising the campaign and so on. Another thing that impressed me was that, although many National Coordinators work voluntarily and nobody is obliged to help other countries, the coordinators in the other countries are very helpful. We had phone calls with the National Coordinators and they shared their experiences. The first virtual meetings made me realise how friendly and inspired these people are.

What ideas do you have for next year’s campaign in Lithuania?

Lithuania can be proud that, even in a pandemic situation, municipalities were eager to join the campaign and the various restrictions did not dampen their motivation to organise fun activities related to active and sustainable mobility. We can be pleased that more than 40 municipalities took part in the campaign, as well as businesses and public institutions. However, we do not have one specific event on sustainable mobility that unites all citizens. For example, on 6 July, our National Day is celebrated by singing the National Anthem at 9 pm throughout Lithuania. Next year's goal would be to come up with an activity during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK that would become a unifying, mass event.

Are there particular topics related to sustainable mobility that seem more popular in Lithuania? If so, why do you think that is?

We are talking more and more about sustainable mobility in Lithuania, in order to encourage people to choose alternative ways of travel. The transport sector in Lithuania is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with cars being the most polluting and many people owning more than one of them. That is why we talk a lot about the need to change our habits, to switch from polluting cars to less polluting ones, and to make more use of public transport or alternative transport services. Talking about alternative means of travel is particularly important as we have set the goal of becoming a climate-neutral country. Each of us must rethink what we can do to stop climate change and choosing to travel sustainably is one of the ways.

It might be hard to choose, but name one action or event from Lithuania that really inspired you this year and please tell us why.

I am very pleased that our friends from the Ministry of Transport and Communications have taken the initiative to organise an exhibition of environmentally friendly vehicles in one of the capital's main streets. Sometimes what we read in the media and see in advertisements can seem very distant. But when you can get up close and personal with these innovations, feel them, and get useful information, it can encourage you to change your habits. It was fun to see people looking around, getting to know environmentally friendly ways of travel. Knowledge leads to change!

What was your favourite part of your first EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK?

The best part of EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK was to see everyone, from youngest to oldest, getting involved in the campaign. Young people are also very active in this week's activities and we can learn a lot from them. I am also very pleased that my colleagues at work were exemplary throughout the week: the Ministry's car yard was empty, we had a fun, active mobility lesson, we competed against each other to see how many kilometres we could run, walk or cycle in a week. This kind of excitement should be more frequent for everyone.

2021 marks a critical milestone for EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK and its commitment to raising awareness and inspiring action surrounding sustainable urban mobility. Not only did the campaign commemorate its 20-year anniversary, but it also celebrated record-breaking participation with 3,192 registrations from towns and cities across 53 countries.

For twenty years, EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, which takes place every year from 16 to 22 September, has sought to promote behavioural change that encourages the use of active mobility, public transport and other clean, intelligent transport solutions. The 2021 theme “Safe and Healthy with Sustainable Mobility” focused on sustainable mobility’s connection to improved mental and physical health, as well as the important role that sustainable and active mobility has played during the pandemic.

Campaign Highlights

Highlights from this year’s campaign include our 20th anniversary virtual museum that showcases some of EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK’s best initiatives in its “Hall of Fame” and “Archaeological Room.” The museum is open until 31 December and is a great way to learn more about the campaign.

Cities and towns across Europe were also excited to celebrate EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2021:

In Märkischer Kreis, Germany, a drawing competition for children was organised and the winning artwork was displayed on public transport buses for the week.

In Belgrade, Serbia, an outdoor art exhibition was organised to celebrate sustainable mobility’s impact in the city as well as residents who have committed to making a behavioural change.

In Slovakia, Ministers – including the Minister of Education, Science, Research and Sport, the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Transport and Construction, the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, the Minister of Culture and the head of the Executive – took various modes of sustainable transport, such as electric scooters, bicycles, public transportation and walking, to their cabinet meeting on 16 September.

In The Hague, the Netherlands, Deputy Mayor for Mobility Robert van Asten shared his plan to turn the city into a cycling haven for residents and in Sillamäe, Estonia a week long cycling tour was organised by citizens to raise awareness for sustainable mobility.

Cementing Success

To help cement this year’s successful campaign towns and cities that excelled in promoting sustainable urban mobility, road safety, and more, are encouraged to apply to the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Awards, Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning Award and EU Urban Road Safety Award. The deadline for all applications is 31 October.

EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, the European Commission’s awareness-raising campaign promoting clean and sustainable urban transport, comes to towns and cities across Europe and beyond starting today until 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. Importantly, the campaign supports the use of public transport as a safe, efficient, affordable, and low-emission mobility solution for everyone.

EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK culminates in the popular car-free day, which sees streets closed to motorised traffic and open to people.

This year marks a special occasion for the campaign as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. In recognition of this milestone, EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK is launching a virtual museum, which will showcase the history of the campaign, the impact it has achieved, and its links to the European Commission’s broader sustainability priorities, such as the EU Green Deal. The museum will also highlight personal stories of behavioural change, illustrating how EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK has inspired residents from across Europe to adapt their mobility habits in favour of active mobility, public transport, and other clean, intelligent transport solutions.

EU Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean said: “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.”

Initiatives across Europe

EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK provides 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) will collect and repair old and abandoned bicycles found in the city, and donate them to people who cannot afford to buy their own.
• Trelleborg (Sweden) will celebrate EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK by organising an exhibition on electric and hydrogen cars, and electric bicycles.
• In Bremen (Germany), the city will transform several car parking spaces into parklets – areas where local residents can meet to socialise, play sports, or discuss urban mobility. The city will also organise a film night ride, where 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) will organise climate change workshops with students aged 16-17 and organise campaigns for school children aged 6-10, to encourage them to travel to school more sustainably.
  Alicante (Spain) will set up bicycle repair stations across the city, and organise a number of activities to promote safe cycling.

To discover what your town or city is doing to celebrate EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, click here.

European Year of Rail

This year marks another special year for sustainable mobility, as it is the European Year of Rail. Highlighting the important role rail has to play in contributing to the EU Green Deal goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050, the Connecting Europe Express is currently making its way through Europe. The train will stop in most European capitals to promote the many benefits of rail for passengers, freight and the environment. Today, 16 September, it is traveling from Sofia to Ruse (Bulgaria). For more information, and to see if the Connecting Europe Express is stopping in a city near you, click here.

Public consultation - new urban mobility framework

To help the EU build on its 2013 Urban Mobility Package and meet its 2050 climate targets, a new urban mobility framework will propose measures to encourage EU Member States to develop urban transport systems that are safe, accessible, inclusive, affordable, smart, 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 transport at the local level. The European Commission invites the general public and stakeholders to express their opinion on this new initiative. The Open Public Consultation closes 23 September 2021.

For more information, and to share your views, click here.

Award applications open

Once EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 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 Award for Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning and the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award is 31 October. Online application form and criteria on www.mobilityweek.eu

On July 29, young people (aged 16 to 24) and policy-makers met online to discuss the importance and need to collaborate in mobility policy-making processes.

The online workshop, which was organised as part of EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, and moderated by ICLEI Europe, kicked off with a presentation by Rut Einarsdóttir of the Icelandic National Youth Council. She highlighted that while many cities may invite young people to share their opinions, this does not necessarily mean policy-makers actually listen. Cities must move away from involving younger representatives of the community as tokens and photo accessories, and adopt instead a meaningful youth engagement policy where young people’s voices are both heard and listened to. Young people are a big and growing proportion of our societies, and studies have shown that involving them in the decision-making process benefits, in fact, everyone.

Recognising the need for cities and policies to reflect the needs of all residents, Sara Borei spoke about Young Friends of the Earth Europe’s mission to collect the mobility visions of young people across Europe by way of the SystemReset project. These visions form the basis of a proposal for the European Green Deal. The project involved over 3,000 young representatives, at least 500 of whom were underrepresented. The collected visions called for fewer cars, especially in city centres, more space for cycling and pedestrians, and the prioritisation of more sustainable modes of transport over more polluting ones - alongside further mobility education.

Young people have less disposable income, have lower access to a car, and are more reliant on public transport – yet our transport system is set up around the car. Dr. Sarah Collings of University of the West of England reaffirmed the link between transport and young people’s ability to thrive, specifically pointing out the toll that inadequate transport can play when it comes to physical and mental health, personal, and professional development. Including the voices of youth and young people in urban mobility planning decisions will help address widening health inequalities, while allowing young people to thrive. Moreover, some of the same solutions that improve inclusion are in line with wider environmental policy priorities.

The workshop discussions were enriched by the contributions of a diverse array of participants. A representative of a regional authority in Ireland brought to light the steps the organisation was taking to ensure that young people were considered in planning, including an event in which only they were invited as speakers. When posed with the question as to how to engage young people, audience members were quick to respond with suggestions: adjust traditional engagement methods to include online and gamification approaches, ensure accessibility by including multiple language options, and show them results that prove to them that their voices matter. These are important aspects for local authorities to keep in mind when organising sustainable urban mobility campaigns, including EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK.

For more information, to read the recommendations and to view the workshop recording, click here.

Last week, the European Commission proposed more ambitious targets that, if acheived, will put the EU's climate, energy, transport and taxation policies on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

Achieving these emission reductions in the next decade is crucial to Europe becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality.

Recognising that transport emissions represent 25% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions, the Commission has set the goal of reaching a 90% reduction in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Such a goal will require significant changes across the transport sector.

Focusing specifically on vans and cars, the Commission has proposed the following:

• 55% reduction of emissions from cars by 2030
• 50% reduction of emissions from vans by 2030
• 0 emissions from new cars by 2035

The growth of the market for zero- and low- emissions vehicles is also promoted. In particular, the Commission seeks to ensure that citizens have the infrastructure they need to charge these vehicles.

In addition, from 2026, road transport will be covered by emissions trading, putting a price on pollution, stimulating cleaner fuel use, and re-investing in clean technologies.

For more information, click here.