#BikesForUkraine is an international campaign, initiated by six Ukrainian NGOs, providing bicycles for aid workers to deliver medication, food and humanitarian aid in Ukraine. To mark three years since the campaign began, we had the privilege of speaking with Svitlana Samikova from U-Cycle, who has been actively involved in organising the initiative.

Could you explain the origins of the initiative #BikesForUkraine, how it started and the overall aim?

#BikesForUkraine is an international humanitarian campaign that started in 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

I can tell you the story of how the campaign came into being. In the first month of the full-scale war, we had several online meetings with European partner organisations, such as the Berlin-based organisation ‘Changing Cities’. We held these meetings to spread information about the war in Ukraine, and they also became a source of emotional support. A feeling of being heard. In one of these meetings, we shared a request for bicycles from communities near the frontline area. ‘Changing Cities’ promised to look into it. From there, it just started to develop and expand. We very soon realised that bicycles could become a vital mobility solution for people in cities and villages throughout Ukraine who were suffering from the effects of disrupted public transport and fuel shortages. Together with other friendly NGOs we launched the campaign.

The aim of the campaign is to deliver bicycles to volunteers, social workers, doctors and people in need, helping them to be mobile. The bicycles help them to deliver humanitarian aid to places that are otherwise difficult to reach. The campaign has now been running for three years. Over 92 ambassadors have supported the campaign, donating funds and bicycles. We have delivered bicycles to more than 90 local communities in Ukraine, increasing social cohesion and serving as a truly important tool for psychological relief. For a lot of people on the frontline, there is also the important aspect of not being forgotten.

Could you talk about some of the challenges that #BikesForUkraine has faced so far?

There are of course many challenges that we need to cope with. I would firstly mention the difficulty of organising international logistics during wartime. It is quite complicated, because we need safe delivery routes using land transport only. We also need to handle customs formalities and report to different inspection bodies on the use of the humanitarian aid. And we need to do all this with the smallest team in the past 10 years at U-Cycle (Kyiv Cyclists’ Association), as most members of our permanent team are in the armed forces. We are very grateful to our ambassadors for helping us in handling the delivery processes before the bicycles reach the Ukrainian border.

Another challenge is maintaining communication with all the campaign stakeholders, particularly last year, when there were constant electricity and internet disruptions, not forgetting the missile and drone attacks. As you have experienced, these can affect some working processes [the interview was rescheduled due to an overnight attack on Kyiv]. Nonetheless, we Ukrainians continue to live, work and resist. The #BikesForUkraine campaign remains an important source of support and hope for a better future.

Could you give a couple of examples of how the donated bicycles have helped people?

Each bicycle we deliver makes a difference to ordinary people stuck on the frontlines and every story matters. They show how the humble bicycle is literally a lifeline. A good example is the volunteers who are currently in the Donetsk region, rescuing animals from dangerous areas and moving them to safer places, or just feeding them if they cannot get them out. Of course, there are also plenty of cases of medical workers helping individuals who could only be reached by bicycle.

Another story reflecting the important role that bicycles can play for Ukrainian communities relates to the time when the northern part of Kherson region was occupied. There were two towns separated by some agricultural fields. One of the villages was still Ukrainian and the other one was occupied. The occupiers stood at a checkpoint on the road between the two towns and they did not let cars through, no matter who was driving. Only bicycles or wheelchairs, for example, were allowed to pass by. Nowadays, the locals call this the ‘road of life’. It is a small stretch of road about three kilometres long and at that time it was dotted with bicycles, which were used to get through the checkpoint. The locals organised a bicycle shelter where people who evacuated by bicycle could leave them, so they could be used again by others for the same purpose. This is a story of the common bicycle becoming a symbol of the only route to salvation from the occupation. The local community is thinking about building a bicycle monument, to remember the lives that were saved by this simple form of transport.

How do you see the future for bicycles in Ukraine? Do you see cycling becoming a key part of the transport system in the future?

We believe that cycling will play a big role in Ukraine's transport future. In the short-term, bicycles are crucial in the de-occupied territories. Even after they have been liberated, these areas are often difficult to access or the infrastructure has been destroyed. The reconstruction process will take time. Receiving bicycles from our campaign is a big help for these communities in the process of recovery.

In the long term, we advocate for rebuilding cities with inclusive, sustainable mobility in mind. The war has shown how resilient bicycles are and that they are an especially effective response to the challenges we face. We hope the value of bicycles will be integrated within the ‘build back better’ principals of Ukraine's green post-war recovery. This is necessary for a greener, healthier and more resilient society. People tend to talk only about post-war recovery, but it’s also about recovery during the war. The war is still ongoing, but at the same time many places are recovering and rebuilding. We try to view this recovery, as well as further European integration, as a window of opportunity for implementing positive sustainable mobility changes in our lives and into our communities.

Is there anything you think the rest of Europe can learn from this experience, especially in relation to the mobility problems that you've had to face?

Our experience shows that even in the worst of times, communities can adapt and support each other with simple but effective tools like bicycles. They have played such an important role in strengthening solidarity and social cohesion within communities. This also proves that mobility is not a luxury; it is a basic human need. Access to transport underpins safety, dignity and resilience right now in Ukraine. I hope this can be somehow inspiring and empowering for other communities.

Lastly, is there any message you would like to send to people in Europe who may be wondering how they can help?

We see our campaign as a great opportunity for our ambassadors to show their solidarity with Ukraine, whether by donating bicycles or fundraising or simply raising awareness by amplifying our message. It all makes a huge difference and every act of support, no matter how big or small, brings us closer to building a stronger and more mobile Ukraine. Finally, it also gives us the feeling that we are not alone. I look forward to the day when #BikesForUkraine can invite everyone who has helped to come and visit us, and see a safe, peaceful and bicycle-friendly Ukraine. This thought keeps me going.

--

Svitlana Samikova is an Administrative Specialist at ams OSRAM and has been a volunteer at U-Cycle, Kyiv Cyclists’ Association, since 2018.

To find out how you can support the #BikesForUkraine campaign, please visit the U-Cycle website page on the initiative, here.

EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK recently sat down with Claudia Kiso, National Coordinator for Germany, to discuss her journey with the campaign since 2016, the transformations she’s witnessed, the significance of this year’s 'Mobility for Everyone' theme, and how becoming a mother has reshaped her perspective on urban mobility. 

 
Tell us a bit about your role and what you enjoy most about the campaign

I first joined EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK in 2016, when we had 11 municipalities participating in the campaign in Germany. We expect to have more than 200 municipalities participating this year. In Germany we focus on developing different support measures for our municipalities: networking events, practical online seminars, design and campaign material as well as lots of inspiration for local activities. In addition, we try to communicate as much as possible on their achievements and I think that this campaign is a great way of showing what local governments can achieve. I also really like the people behind the campaign because there are so many passionate people who sometimes even use their free time to fight for more inclusive urban mobility. I have the privilege of having a sneak peek behind the scenes at all these municipalities and helping to promote their work. It gives me a lot of strength, seeing how passionate people are, on all levels.

What’s the biggest change you have seen in the campaign since you joined and how municipalities organise themselves?

The EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK campaign is a great way of communicating about sustainable mobility as a whole. The campaign is a great vehicle for communicating to ordinary people, especially as it’s not just pushing for one mode of transport. This approach helps us to get away from this conflict of us versus them and cars versus bikes. It provides a space to talk in a positive and inclusive way about a topic that’s normally full of conflicts and partisan feelings. Additionally, I think for some, being European and feeling part of a bigger movement can be inspiring.  

How did you feel, seeing Leipzig as one of the finalists for the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2024?

I’m extremely proud of them! Leipzig’s first participation in the campaign was in 2016, just when I myself joined. I also lived there for four years, so seeing them as finalists was a particularly proud moment for me. I think they are a big success story because they have learned from previous mistakes. Over the years they have found ways to engage with all sorts of civil society actors, companies and different organisations. Their activities in 2024 were very impressive, such as having the car-free day on a street which usually has one of the highest traffic flows in eastern Germany. This was a very brave decision. 

This year’s theme is ‘Mobility for Everyone’. What does the theme mean to you? Any ideas on how you plan to approach this?

I think this theme is highly relevant because you can only change mobility if it is fair and if everyone can access it, which unfortunately isn’t the case currently. This theme applies to groups which are sometimes forgotten when thinking about sustainable mobility, like older people, or children. 

You recently became a mother. How has this change in your life affected the way you see sustainable mobility?

It’s actually changed my perspective a lot more than I expected. The first big change was that we’ve started using a cargo bike. I’m now filling all the cliches of a Berlin hipster mum! But it’s also made me appreciate how disadvantaged children are in urban traffic. It’s really difficult for them to cross streets which are dominated by cars, and to give them the freedom that they deserve. I’ve also realised that children don’t have a strong voice to express these concerns. I do hope that this will change. Campaigns like EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK give me hope that we can help to make mobility a less dangerous world for children. 
 

Claudia Kiso works for the German Environment Agency, a scientific body within the German Ministry for the Environment. She has been EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK National Coordinator for Germany since 2016.

Learn more about EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK in Germany on the national website here. 

In this interview, Pia Primec, National Coordinator for EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK in Slovenia, shares insights on the challenges and successes in the campaign. She also reflects on her own experience in shifting mobility habits and the inspiring success of small municipalities like Solčava in making a meaningful contribution to sustainable mobility.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background and how you ended up becoming a National Coordinator.

Before becoming National Coordinator, I was a Local Coordinator, so I understand how challenging it is to prepare and coordinate a campaign. I have to admit that when I started to work in sustainable mobility, I was using a car. I didn’t change my habits until I faced an illness, and I was away from work for more than half a year. Afterwards, I could see that waking up and facing a traffic jam was really challenging for me. That was the trigger I needed to change my mobility habits. Now, I’m using trains. The train stop is 35 mins walking distance to my office. But I do it anyway because I have noticed that I need this walk. It makes me feel ready to face work in the morning and then ready for my three small children in the afternoon. 

Mobility habits are something that need to be talked about. A co-worker supported me in the transition away from the car. We both took our bikes on the train and then rode together from the station to the office. I think having this support or guidance, especially right at the beginning, is very important. I see my role as the National Coordinator in a similar way. Guiding municipalities and showing that it is possible to make changes to our mobility habits.

How has the campaign in Slovenia changed since you joined?

I started in 2019, when there were 78 participating municipalities, and we now have 120! That’s roughly 65% of all the municipalities in the country. Overall, over 500 campaign activities were implemented, reaching more than 10% of the population of Slovenia. One change we have enacted is to really push decision makers to personally use sustainable transport modes so that they can experience how challenging it is to be a pedestrian or cyclist in their municipality. In this way, they can see where more effort and money need to be invested.

Did last year’s theme of ‘shared public space’ play a large role in your campaign activities?

Yes, I’m quite proud as we achieved our goal, which was the temporary pedestrianisation of public space normally used by cars. This happened in 50 municipalities and the transformation lasted for several days. Three municipalities even made a permanent transformation in favour of pedestrianisation. That’s a big success, because people are used to this kind of closure for single-day events. But if it lasts for a longer period, people start to ask questions and think about it more. In my perspective, this was the best part of our campaign this year.

Were there any other challenges or hurdles that you faced this year?

Yes, during the summer, our public transport agency implemented some infrastructure changes, which lasted into September, when children returned to schools. This created total chaos. And then, two weeks later, the campaign started. Our public transport system was not operating fully, but we were still promoting sustainable mobility - it was quite a challenge! But despite all this, the results were very positive. Without challenges the campaign would be boring!

What are your thoughts on Solčava receiving a special mention during the European Mobility Week award ceremony?

I was very surprised, but above all happy for them. Especially as it was a special category made just for them. I’m extremely proud of Solčava. It is a very small place, but the level of commitment and dedication shown by the organising team was wonderful to witness. They contacted every single inhabitant of the municipality to let them know about the activities, which is, of course, an approach that only small municipalities can do. But this personal approach was very successful and showed how even small towns and villages can actively participate in the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK campaign. We hope that Solčava can inspire similarly sized municipalities, in Slovenia and beyond. 
  
Pia Primec has been the National Coordinator for Slovenia for EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK since 2019. She works in the Ministry of Infrastructure of Slovenia.

Learn more about EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK in Slovenia via the national campaign website. 

On 27 March, Bologna and Czech association Pěšky městem (Walk to School) won the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award and the MOBILITYACTION Award respectively, during a public award ceremony in Brussels. The awards were handed over  by Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, and Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, in the presence of around 150 city representatives, mobility practitioners and local campaigners.

Bologna won the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award for its efforts in making sustainable mobility concepts and activities more accessible to the public during the main week of the campaign. The city hosted a variety of information stands and educational activities, ending the events with a car-free day in the city’s historical and commercial centre. 

Anna Lisa Boni, Deputy Mayor of Bologna, shared her enthusiasm for receiving the prestigious EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award on stage, speaking proudly of her city’s transformative efforts, leading the way by permanently introducing 30 km/h zones on 70% of roads in the municipality. She remarked on the truly life-saving impact that such measures can have, dedicating the award to the 10 fewer people who lost their lives since the changes were enacted. 

“It’s hard work to transform your city into a more sustainable city and to shape public space that is really shared […]. It’s about the future for our children and making cities places which are worth living in […] so we are extremely proud and grateful to have received this award, because it really tells us that we are going in the right direction.”: Deputy Mayor of Bologna, Anna Lisa Boni.

Petra Syrová, Chair of Pěšky městem (Walk to School), received the MOBILITYACTION Award on behalf of the organisation. The association was recognised for its innovative approach towards encouraging parents and children to walk to school, promoting healthier and more environmentally friendly behaviour from a young age.  

Petra Syrová pointed out the growth in their ‘walk to school’ campaign, which started in 2017, with just three schools in Prague. The campaign now covers more than 500 schools from over 300 cities, towns and villages nationwide: 

“We are very grateful that our campaign was selected by the European Commission, so thank you very much. We know that it helps to open our streets in our cities to children. We help them to enjoy their walks to school, their everyday adventures and to grow through walking”: Petra Syrová, Chair of Pěšky městem. 

In addition to the two award winners, the small town of Solčava (Slovenia) also received a special mention during the ceremony. Solčava, with its 500 inhabitants, showcased that rural communities can play a vital role in encouraging greater use of public transport, having made remarkable efforts in engaging both senior and younger residents. 

Katarina Prelesnik, Mayor of Solčava, reflected that this is the most sparsely populated municipality in Slovenia and commented: “Distance has not separated us, quite the opposite. It has brought us closer and encouraged us to seek sustainable and innovative ways of sustainability. […] Participation in the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK is motivation for the future. To keep thinking in a connected and green way.” 

Speeches by Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, and by Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, focused not only on the winners and finalists but on all those who came together to make the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK campaign a success last year, celebrating the huge efforts of all participants in promoting better sustainable urban mobility and ensuring safer, greener and more accessible spaces for all.  

A highlight video of the award ceremony is available here.

Official photos from the event can be viewed here. 

Six finalists are in the running for the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK and MOBILITYACTION awards. The awards seek to raise awareness on sustainable urban mobility and mobility management plans. Both awards celebrate activities implemented in 2024. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony hosted by the European Commission in Brussels on 27 March.

The nominees for the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2024 are:

Bologna (Italy) for making sustainable mobility concepts and activities more accessible to the public. During EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, the city hosted a variety of information stands and educational activities related to sustainable urban mobility plans and the transformation of public space. Many local private and citizen-led organisations were involved in the planning of events, which helped foster a sense of community ownership. Of particular note is also the Bologna 30 initiative, whereby 70% of roads in the municipality have been permanently transformed to 30 km/h zones. The week’s events ended with a car-free day in the city’s historical and commercial centre.

Braga (Portugal) for hosting a diverse range of EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK activities, many of which were co-created with local residents. This year a strong emphasis was placed on increasing the capacity of politicians and urban mobility technicians to implement change. Other notable activities included the expansion of urban cycle paths, multiple school mobility projects and the transformation of Dom Pedro V Street into a shared public space. Two kiosks provided information on mobility projects to 14,500 residents throughout the main week. Braga, Portugal’s third largest city, won the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK award in 2022.

Leipzig (Germany) for a particularly impressive car-free day, closing off the inner-city ring road for 12 hours to hold activities involving the participation of around 25,000 people. The city hosted a full programme of activities during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, including public workshops, lectures and discussions, all with a clear focus on sustainable mobility. The ‘shared public space’ theme was reflected strongly, in the pedestrianisation of parts of the city and traffic-calming measures. Partnerships with DHL, Nextbike, Tink and ADFC resulted in the establishment of cargo bike rentals and other bicycle-related activities, raising awareness of this particular active mobility mode.

The nominees for the MOBILITYACTION Award 2024 are:

Associació Amics de Ca la Cileta del Palau d'Anglesola (El Palau d’Anglesola, Spain) for promoting an inclusive approach to street space during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, showcasing the coexistence between people of different ages and abilities. The project involved meetings between primary-school students and the elderly, creating an inter-generational bond linked to an exchange of knowledge on sustainable mobility. The activity, which also extends to other towns in the Pla d’Urgell region, encourages a vision of public space which is not dominated by cars but instead promotes mobility options that are sustainable and accessible to all, such as walking and cycling.

Bucharest-Ilfov Public Transport Intercommunity Development Association (Bucharest, Romania) for transforming Gheorghe Duca Boulevard into a temporary exhibition area, turning a regular city thoroughfare into an interactive cultural space, blending historical and modern mobility themes. The initiative is a key component of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK celebrations in Bucharest. By exhibiting vintage vehicles, the event highlights the evolution of public transport and mobility in the city. New public transport routes were introduced to link the city’s main transport hubs with major landmarks and to ensure better access to the exhibition. 

Pěšky městem (Czech Republic) for its promotion of active mobility, with a nationwide campaign involving 501 schools across 338 Czech cities, encouraging children and parents to walk to school during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK. The campaign highlights the benefits of walking for children’s health and for the environment. Emphasis is placed on learning safe, healthy and sustainable transport habits from an early age. Leaning into the 2024 theme ‘shared public space’, the campaign also fosters safer and more inclusive communities, particularly by reducing the volume of car traffic in the vicinity of schools. 

The EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award acknowledges excellence by municipalities in promoting sustainable urban mobility during the campaign’s main week of 16-22 September. 

The MOBILITYACTION Award acknowledges excellence in mobility management planning solutions submitted by businesses, institutions, civil society organisations, citizen initiatives or municipalities. 

The annual theme in 2024 for both awards was ‘shared public space’.  

The shortlisted candidates were selected by an independent panel of mobility and transport experts. The two winners will be announced during an award ceremony at Plein Publiek in Brussels on 27 March.