Riga won the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2025 for bringing sustainable mobility to life through creative public space interventions and active community engagement. The city’s campaign focused on transforming streets, encouraging active travel, and exploring new ways of using urban space.
We spoke with Marta Kotello, Chairperson of the Riga City Council Traffic and Transport Committee, about what the award means for the city and how Riga is working to make mobility more people-centred.
What does it mean for Riga to receive this recognition for EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK?
We are really happy, and especially pleased that Riga has been recognised after taking part in EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK for many years. This recognition is important because it confirms that the direction we are taking is the right one, even though change is not always easy.
Riga remains a largely car-oriented city, so this award gives us encouragement to continue and to build on the progress we have made. It shows that even small steps, as well as more ambitious actions, can make a real difference.
Your activities last year focused strongly on transforming streets in the city centre. What was the idea behind this approach?
Our main idea was to show what Riga’s streets could look like if they were used differently and prioritised people rather than cars. We selected two busy streets in the city centre, in a beautiful area with Art Nouveau architecture, cafés and restaurants, and closed them to traffic.
Instead of organising large events, we kept the intervention simple. We added street furniture and planters, while local cafés and restaurants helped bring the space to life. The transformation felt natural. Where cars would usually be parked or passing through, there were now people gathered around tables, chatting and spending time together. Even the weather helped us, and the results clearly show the potential of rethinking public space.
How did residents and businesses respond to these changes?
Overall, people responded very positively. We were brave and believed in what we were doing, but not everyone was supportive at first. That is normal when familiar patterns in a city start to change.
When I visited the streets during the activities, the atmosphere was really encouraging. People looked happy and we received a lot of positive feedback, especially from local businesses. Many restaurant owners told us they would like to see similar initiatives more often, as they could clearly see the benefit of having more people spending time in the area.
There were also some critical voices questioning the need for such changes, which sparked a lively public debate, including on social media. We saw these discussions as valuable because they helped draw attention to how public space is used and encouraged people to think about what they want from their city.
What advice would you give to other cities taking part in EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK?
One important lesson is that visibility matters. People often need to experience change firsthand to understand it, which is why temporary interventions can be so powerful. They allow cities to test ideas in a very immediate and tangible way and create space for conversations about long-term transformation.
It is also important to take a gradual approach and build trust over time. In Riga, we are working towards making our streets more friendly for residents and visitors, while learning from the experiences of other cities across Europe. Each edition of EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK helps us refine our approach and develop more confidence to try new things.
Riga’s programme included a wide range of creative activities, from Tweed Rides to events on public transport. What was the thinking behind this approach?
The aim was to create positive emotions and memorable experiences around sustainable mobility. People lead busy lives, so if we can offer small moments of joy connected to walking, cycling or public transport, it helps foster positive associations with these modes of getting around.
We want sustainable mobility to feel accessible and enjoyable, not just practical. These activities help people connect with that idea in a direct and personal way.
Which initiatives worked best in engaging wider audiences?
One of the most successful activities was the walking competition, as it is highly inclusive and easy for people to join. It brought together people from the city council, schools and local organisations, and helped create a shared sense of community.
We also saw strong engagement with more playful initiatives, such as the Tweed Ride and activities on public transport. Overall, what stood out most was the positive atmosphere throughout the week. Many people who would not usually engage with mobility topics took part and enjoyed the experience.
How did you involve so many different stakeholders in the campaign?
Coordination worked exceptionally well because many activities were designed to be open and participatory. As part of the pop-up pedestrian street projects we also conducted surveys, which were shared on social media, asking residents where they would like to see streets closed to traffic. We received hundreds of ideas.
These suggestions are now being reviewed by the city’s mobility team to identify which can be implemented. This helps people feel that they are not only participating in events, but also actively contributing to future improvements in their city.
We also engaged professionals and institutions through initiatives such as the Smart Cities conference, which helped broaden the discussion.
How does EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK support long-term change in Riga?
The campaign creates momentum for long-term change. Because it takes place every year, it helps build continuity and keeps sustainable mobility visible in public debate. It is not just a one-off event, but part of a broader process of transformation.
Winning the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award has further strengthened this momentum. It gives us visibility at European level and supports our efforts to develop more sustainable and people-centred transport policies.
Finally, what comes next for Riga following this recognition?
We want to scale up our efforts. This means more street closures, more frequently, and not only in the city centre but also in neighbourhoods across Riga. We want to create more car-free spaces where people can experience the city in new ways.
We want to reach a wider audience and continue sharing stories that highlight how cycling, walking, and public transport can improve everyday life. Our goal is to build on this momentum so that some of these changes become permanent and Riga becomes a city where people can move around easily and comfortably without relying on cars.
The city will continue to turn that ambition into reality through a range of permanent improvements, including new cycling infrastructure, upgraded pedestrian crossings, additional mobility hubs near railway stations and further road safety measures to support safer, more sustainable travel across Riga, all planned to be implemented this year.
Find out more about Riga’s award-winning activities on the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award page, here.