To view this interview in Portuguese, click here.

Lisbon (Portugal) was revealed as the winner of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2018 for larger municipalities at a ceremony in Brussels (Belgium) on 21 March 2019. We spoke with Miguel Gaspar, Deputy Mayor for Mobility and Safety, about what the win meant to the Portuguese capital.

1. What activities did Lisbon undertake to help it win the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award?

EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2018 in Lisbon benefitted from a strong, diverse agenda, focusing, of course, on multimodality and sustainable mobility activities.

Scheduled initiatives included seminars and conferences on sustainable urban mobility, awareness-raising actions related to cycling to school and work, bicycle and scooter rides and a vintage tram parade.

One of the highlights of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK was the Wise Mobility Conference, a debate on Lisbon’s ambition to see its mobility system evolve rapidly towards sustainability, efficiency, accessibility and security. A diverse panel of speakers gave their opinion in front of an audience of 200 participants. Tickets for the event sold out within days.

On the last day of EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, part of the Liberdade Avenue (one of the main arteries of the city) was closed to road traffic, hosting a festivity of mobility with leisure activities for the whole family. The festival allowed attendees to try out different vehicles, including pedal vehicles and scooters, and saw activities such as virtual reality games, dance classes, street art and bicycle sprints. It was also possible to ride a suspended bike (Skybike), which could climb up to 14 metres high, providing an excellent view over the surrounding area. The event was attended by around 3,800 people.

2. What has the reaction been among citizens and stakeholders to the city winning the award?

There were countless positive reactions. It was acknowledged by partners, citizens and other stakeholders that the city has improved significantly in the past few years in relation to mobility.

This award provides recognition of the work that has been carried out in favor of better mobility in Lisbon. This international recognition reinforces our determination and our willpower to do more and better every single day.

3. What are the benefits of taking part in EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK for your city?

EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK is a moment of celebration. It is the highlight of work that has been developed throughout the year. It brings together actors contributing to better mobility in Lisbon and encourages citizens to rethink their mobility choices. It is about providing opportunities to explore the city in more sustainable ways, whether through public transportation, cycling or shared modes.  

4. What advice would you give to cities that are looking to take home the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award?

First of all, the city must have a clear vision of what kind of mobility it wants to implement, and put in place permanent structural measures accordingly.

Mobility relies on people, those who live in the city and those who use it. Involving everyone, including mobility companies and associations, public transport operators and schools, is a key element of successfully shifting to a more sustainable, shared and linked mobility policy.  

Hence, a strong commitment to communication is really important, as well as a diverse agenda addressing various audiences.