29 September 2025
Site visits (guided tours)
- Afternoon(timing and meeting points tbc)
Walking tour of Vilnius old town
Cycling tour on the development of the cycling culture in Vilnius
Trolleybus ride through Vilnius
30 September 2025
Urban Nodes Day
- 9:00-12:00
Politicians’ Exchange Forum
(by invitation only)
- 9:15-10:30
European Transport Corridor Meeting Atlantic
European Transport Corridor Meeting North Sea - Baltic
European Transport Corridor Meeting Scandinavian – Mediterranean
European Transport Corridor Meeting Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean
European Transport Corridor Meeting Rhine – Danube
- 10:30-11:00Coffee break
- 11:00-12:15
European Transport Corridor Meeting Mediterranean
European Transport Corridor Meeting North Sea – Rhine – Mediterranean
European Transport Corridor Meeting Baltic Sea – Adriatic Sea
European Transport Corridor Meeting Baltic Sea – Black Sea – Aegean Sea
- 12:15-13:00Lunch break
- 13:00-13:45Opening ceremony
- 13:45-15:00
Plenary:Urban nodes boosting an efficient European Transport Network
Most journeys on the trans-European transport (TEN-T) network start and end in urban nodes. Urban nodes serve as intersections where different transport modes converge, and they play an important role in multimodal and interregional travel and freight transport. The revised European TEN-T Regulation recognises their importance and sets out requirements that the urban nodes on the trans-European transport network need to meet.
This plenary session examines how urban nodes are preparing to meet the legal requirements to develop multimodality and clean transport. We also discuss cooperation and coordination between urban nodes and explore their role in the governance of the TEN-T network.
- 15:00-15:30Coffee break
- 15:30-18:15
Workshop by Cycling Counts Pilot project
(by invitation only)
- 15:30-16:45Afternoon break-out sessions 1
National SUMP Support Programmes paving the way for the next generation of SUMPs
The revised TEN-T Regulation calls for Member States to designate National SUMP Contact Points and develop National SUMP Support Programmes (NSSPs) to help municipalities prepare and implement their SUMPs.
In this session, we hear from the European Commission, National SUMP Contact Points and urban nodes. Join us to find out more on the steps taken so far under the different NSSPs, and to look ahead at how to succeed with the next generation of SUMPs in urban nodes.
Deployment of charging points in urban nodes
The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) sets new, legally-binding targets for the deployment of electric vehicle recharging stations. Local and regional authorities need to address this challenge, while ensuring alignment with their planning, parking and mobility strategies. The European Commission provides guidance and best practice examples via the European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO) and guidelines prepared by the Sustainable Transport Forum (STF) sub-group on public authorities.
This session provides an occasion to discuss the challenges faced by cities and to showcase useful tools and guidance that can support cities and regions for a successful electric vehicle recharging deployment and in their transition to electromobility.
Multimodal passenger hubs: connecting the city and the TEN-T network
Multi-modal passenger hubs are critical points where the TEN-T network connects to the local, regional mobility system. It is essential for national, regional and local authorities to ensure a seamless flow of passengers through these hubs.
This session explores examples of insightful approaches by Member States, urban nodes and transport operators, leading towards the next generation of multimodal passenger hubs.
- 17:00-18:15Afternoon break-out sessions 2
SUMP guidelines: what’s new?
The urban mobility context has greatly evolved over recent years. Urban planners have needed to address a variety of new mobility challenges within their SUMPs. Furthermore, the revised TEN-T Regulation aims to strengthen the role of urban nodes in the TEN-T network and sets requirements on developing and adopting SUMPs at the scale of an urban node.
This technical session presents the revised SUMP guidelines and collects feedback from urban mobility stakeholders on how they adapt to the new policy context.
Urban mobility indicators: the way ahead
Urban mobility indicators allow cities to measure their progress towards sustainable, accessible and safe urban mobility. The revised TEN-T Regulation requires data to be collected for specific indicators in the field of sustainability, safety and accessibility. The indicators will be set out in an implementing regulation.
This session provides an opportunity to hear from representatives of the European Commission, the Member States and urban nodes on the way ahead implementing the Regulation on Urban Mobility Indicators.
Planning sustainable mobility for tourist flows
Tourism is a major economic activity in the European Union, accounting for up to 10 % of its GDP, or 4.5 % of its total gross value added, with wide-ranging impact on economic growth, employment and social development. However, cities face the challenge of integrating tourist travel alongside local transport needs.
This session explores destination and event management strategies and SUMPs, which can prevent disruption and promote sustainable travel choices. Experts discuss long-distance arrivals, local organisation of tourist flows, and innovative mobility solutions from cities. Case studies on large-scale events (e.g. Paris Olympic Games 2024) highlight best practice examples of sustainable mobility for tourist flows.
- 19:15 onwards
Networking cocktail at Enefit arena, Šv. Stepono g. 41, Vilnius
1 October 2025
Cycling Day
- 9:30-12:45
Meeting of National SUMP Contact Points
(by invitation only)
- 9:30-10:45Morning break-out sessions 1
Safe infrastructure for cycling and micromobility
The European Declaration on Cycling highlights the importance of safe and coherent cycling infrastructure with separated cycle paths and secure parking. With this priority in mind, guidelines are being developed to provide advice for future infrastructure updates and investments, in order to help vulnerable road users, such as people on bicycles or personal mobility devices.
Safer, improved infrastructure can play a role in encouraging more people from different backgrounds to try riding a bicycle or an e-scooter in cities for convenience, commuting and leisure.
Cycling and tourism
Cycling is a key enabler for sustainable tourism both as a transport mode in its own right, and as a popular recreational pursuit. In recent years, ‘slow tourism’ has become increasingly popular, with some cities making extra efforts to accommodate cycling by tourists during their stays.
This session shines a light on some of these best practice examples that get more tourists on two wheels as they explore their destination cities.
Enhancing urban mobility through data spaces
The ongoing work of the common European data spaces onmobility, tourism and smart communities has the potential to transform urban mobility. Cities and regions can activate digitalisation and interoperability to optimise transport systems, reduce congestion, and improve the overall urban experience.
This session presents real-world use-cases, showcasing cities and regions that are involved in data space deployment actions, and highlighting potential benefits, such as increased efficiency, improved travel options and sustainability. Join us to explore how data-driven strategies can create a smarter, more connected urban environment and address urban challenges.
- 10:45-11:30Coffee break
- 11:30-12:45Morning break-out sessions 2
Cycling and transport poverty: enabling cycling for all
While cycling is a safe and logical mobility choice for many, it is also a relatively low-cost option for people affected by transport poverty. However, more can be done to ensure accessible, affordable and safe cycling for all.
What opportunities are there to improve access to cycling and bike-share services, including through the Social Climate Fund? How can community-led initiatives play a role in improving access and education? How can multimodality (including cycling) be harnessed to tackle transport poverty?
Sustainable mobility initiatives for the tourism sector
This session shares more than 30 pledges made to develop sustainable mobility options within the EU’s tourism sector. These are some of the commitments made by stakeholders towards actions in the Transition Pathway for Tourism, in line with the EU Agenda for Tourism 2030.
Specifically, we hear from representatives of cities that have implemented replicable initiatives for reducing transport emissions generated by tourism.
Public procurement of innovative mobility services in cities
Despite substantial EU funding in research and development, the adoption and scaling of innovative mobility services remains slow, struggling to progress beyond the pilot stage. This session explores the primary barriers and challenges faced in the public procurement of these services.
We delve into effective strategies such as Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI), along with EU programmes that can facilitate the deployment and scaling of innovations.
Through case studies from cities that have successfully implemented these strategies, participants will gain a practical insight into adopting mobility innovation. These examples aim to inspire local authorities across the EU to overcome challenges and enhance their mobility services.
- 12:45-13:45Lunch break
- 13:45-15:00
Plenary: Unlocking the potential of urban cycling: from policy to practice
Cycling shouldn’t be considered a lifestyle choice when it has the potential to be a key pillar of sustainable urban mobility. But what does it take to make cycling a fully-fledged means of transport? What can Europe’s innovative cycling sector do to help ensure cycling is integrated seamlessly into city infrastructure and urban logistics?
As progress on the European Declaration on Cycling takes centre stage, we explore how data-driven planning, investment and policy can improve cycling conditions, tackle transport poverty, improve people’s health, increase the competitiveness of the cycling industry and boost sustainable tourism in city destinations.
- 15:15-16:30Afternoon break-out sessions 1
Cycling at the forefront of the Climate-Neutral Cities Mission
Cycling as a daily travel mode has huge potential to tackle carbon emissions. By prioritising cycling, cities address multiple issues at once and reduce congestion, open up public space and green areas, and improve residents’ health through reduced noise and air pollution, plus the additional benefit of an active lifestyle.
In this session, we hear from several Mission Cities that are implementing cycling plans as part of their efforts to achieve net zero and improve public health.
The bicycle industry in Europe: strengthening competitiveness through innovation
We share some key statistics on the state of the European bicycle industry. A change in mobility patterns led to an increase in the number of cyclists and to an increase in bicycle sales in Europe, rising from 19 million in 2000 to 22 million in 2020. Studies indicate that the European bicycle industry could continue to grow steadily year on year to 2030. However, the industry has experienced significant challenges in recent years.
This session seeks to understand how innovation can help the bicycle industry overcome these challenges and become more resilient and competitive. What does it mean to invest in innovation in the bicycle industry? Can the cycling industry change gears and raise demand for the bicycle as a transport mode in its own right?
Reinventing cycling: the perspective of women
Cycling, whether on our streets or in industry and sport, is often considered to be a male-dominated domain. This can have a negative impact on efforts to improve cycling in cities, where urban planners nonetheless need to take into consideration the travel needs of the whole population.
This session delves into what gets women cycling. What are the benefits for everyone if more women feel empowered to go by bike? What are the specific needs and preferences when it comes to safety, infrastructure and bicycles? Key female figures from the cycling industry and the world of politics engage in this insightful discussion.
- 16:30-17:15Coffee break
- 17:15-18:30Afternoon break-out sessions 2
EU digital wallets and urban mobility
The Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy identified paperless transport as one of the 2030 milestones, and refers to digital certificates for drivers and vehicles, contactless payments for parking and tolls, and better information on urban vehicle access regulations.
This session explores the potential of EU digital wallets in the domain of urban mobility. This includes a potential digital wallet for ensuring compliance with urban vehicle access regulations.
Spotlight on cycling data in the EU
Without adequate data it can be hard to know how to invest resources. Cycling data needs to be collected in a uniform way across the EU to ensure that cycling developments and the infrastructure enabling them can be monitored effectively. This means setting an EU-wide baseline, covering the quantity, quality and accessibility of existing cycling infrastructure, which can be used to compare European progress on cycling going forward.
This session includes a presentation of preliminary findings from the ‘Cycling Counts’ study and explores how cycling data collection can be improved across the EU.
Cycle logistics at the core of last-mile deliveries
As cities strive for cleaner and more efficient freight distribution, cycle logistics is emerging as a viable solution for last-mile deliveries.
This session explores the business models, vehicle types, and urban infrastructure needed to support cycle-based distribution. We also examine barriers faced by traditional logistics players, and strategies to accelerate a shift towards cycle logistics, including the role of logistics hubs. Join us to discover how cities and businesses can optimise cycle logistics for a more sustainable urban future.
- 18:45 onwards
Networking cocktail at conference venue
2 October 2025
Public Transport Day
- 9:30-10:45
Platform of National Cycling Contact Points
(by invitation only)
- 9:30-10:45Morning break-out sessions 1
Prioritising efficiency and sustainability: picking the right urban public transport mode
When discussing urban public transport, there’s a tendency to immediately think of buses. However, public transport is inherently multimodal: an effective public transport system incorporates a range of transport options, from urban rail systems and funiculars to riverboat services, ferries and smaller vehicles for feeder routes. Cities must tailor their transport systems to meet the demand and characteristics of the inhabitants and the local topography, while planning for the short, medium, and long term.
In this session, we hear from public administration leaders who are making the most of their geographical particularities to develop efficient and sustainable transport, or who are investing in the future of their public transport network with urban rail systems, such as metros and trams.
Ensuring public transport accessibility, affordability and availability for all
Transport poverty impacts people in rural areas and in underserved urban areas, limiting their access to jobs, education and essential services. The Commission’s Recommendation on Transport Poverty outlines the importance of accessible, affordable and available public transport for everyone, no matter their income, location, gender or abilities.
Addressing this challenge requires a diverse range of transport services, leveraging digital tools, fixed-route public transport, shared mobility services and on-demand options, to ensure reliable, accessible transport that suits the local context.
This session examines the role of public transport in supporting integrated, multimodal solutions and seamless connections between rural areas and urban centres.
Tourism and urban public transport: a win-win situation?
Europe is the number one most popular tourist destination in the world due to its rich history, cultural heritage, world-famous landmarks and well-established infrastructure for tourists. Tourist travel is an important aspect of urban mobility, where European cities and their transport operators play an essential role in providing a seamless, multimodal travel experience. Nonetheless, public transport should ideally be the primary transport mode for city visitors, to boost the economy and enable a sustainable and liveable urban environment.
This session explores innovative public transport solutions designed to give tourists visiting European cities an enjoyable experience, thereby enriching their stay and contributing to a positive overall impression.
- 10:45-11:30Coffee break
- 11:30-12:45Morning break-out sessions 2
Delivering low-emission public transport: clean bus procurement
In recent years, the EU has seen impressive progress in zero-emission urban public transport. Last year, a third of new urban buses were zero-emission, and factories are emerging in many cities to cope with the demand.
This shift fosters competitiveness, job creation and economic growth. The Clean Vehicles Directive and new CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles provide a solid framework for investment in zero-emission technologies. Nonetheless, with a total bus fleet of 700,000, much remains to be done.
This session explores how to assist cities and transport authorities in procuring clean buses and how EU funds can help.
Urban mobility and public transport at the core of the new EU agenda for cities
According to his mission letter from the President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice President for Cohesion and Reforms, is expected to put forward an ‘ambitious policy agenda for cities’ to ‘harness the potential of cities as innovation, growth and competitiveness engines’. This policy agenda should ‘provide a clear vision for the future of the cities, looking at issues such as housing, climate action, digitalisation, mobility, social inclusion and equality’.
This session provides an opportunity to discuss the place of urban mobility and, more particularly, public transport within this ambitious policy agenda for cities.
Testbeds for connected and automated mobility: challenges and opportunities for cities
The Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector (March 2025) outlines measures to strengthen the competitiveness of the sector and accelerate the transition to zero-emission mobility. One of its five pillars states that the European automotive industry must urgently regain a leadership position in the transition towards software-enabled, AI-powered connected and autonomous vehicles, and that medium-sized cities could play a pioneering role, in setting up large-scale cross-border testbeds and related regulatory sandboxes.
The session aims to further reflect on the coming challenges and opportunities for urban authorities in enabling regulatory frameworks, as well as suitable conditions of infrastructure for such vehicles. At the same time, we will deep dive into the role of the industry to cooperate with the public sector to make sure that deployment of innovation adds value to urban mobility systems.
- 12:45-13:45Lunch break
- 13:45-15:00
Plenary: Public transport at the heart of the urban mobility system
Reliable, efficient and inclusive public transport is a precondition for sustainable urban mobility. Prioritising public transport in (greater) urban areas is key to delivering seamless multimodal solutions for all, including commuters.
How can authorities improve accessibility, address workforce shortages and accelerate decarbonisation? Investment, novel policies, synergies with urban planning and innovative solutions are needed to ensure public transport is the obvious choice for journeys to, within and around cities.
- 15:15-16:30Afternoon break-out sessions 1
Better connectivity between urban areas and the outskirts
Suburban public transport networks face a unique set of challenges in meeting the needs of residents and commuters living in peripheral urban areas. These include limited network coverage, lower population density, and the need for flexible, cost-effective solutions. To address these issues, it is crucial for regional and local authorities, public and private operators, and mobility service providers to collaborate effectively. By working together, they can ensure better connectivity, improved accessibility for all users, and an optimal level of service.
This session explores strategies to maximise the potential of suburban public transport systems, with discussions on integrated solutions to considerably improve public transport services for people living or working in the outskirts.
Gender-inclusive solutions for urban public transport
Becoming an attractive and equitable employer is a key priority for a sector that aims to reflect the diversity of its passengers and better serve the whole community. A major imbalance remains with regard to the employment of women. At a time when it is increasingly difficult to attract and retain sufficient staff, it is urgent to remove the barriers that prevent women from entering the public transport sector. It is well known that supportive policies are needed to offset challenging working conditions and ensure an appropriate work-life balance, but the number of female employees remains low.
This session looks at transferrable good practice examples for attracting and retaining women in the urban public transport sector.
Reimagining urban mobility: innovative design and provision of urban public transport services
Public transport users expect an excellent service that is safe, accessible, convenient, flexible, connected and sustainable. Transport operators need to meet these requirements and adapt to changing needs and expectations.
This session takes stock of the latest innovative design solutions for vehicles, stations and services that can help urban public transport operators improve their overall operations, efficiency, safety and security, and foster an attractive and competitive public transport sector in Europe.
- 16:30-17:15Coffee break
- 17:15-18:30Afternoon break-out sessions 2
Innovation in urban logistics: competitiveness versus sustainability
Building on the recommendations of the Expert Group on Urban Mobility’s sub-group on urban logistics, cities can boost their economy by harnessing innovation in urban logistics. But sustainable solutions can entail extra costs, so how do we support logistics operators in creating a win-win situation with innovative and competitive solutions for more sustainable logistics and a cleaner urban environment?
This session unpacks examples of innovation for sustainable and competitive urban logistics, and barriers to avoid when scaling up new solutions and technologies, while considering the role of the public and private sectors to guarantee successful implementation.
Synergies between public transport, land use and housing policies
By adopting an integrated approach to public transport, land use and housing policies, cities and regions can create more sustainable, equitable and efficient transport systems that support the well-being of residents and the environment.
A better understanding of the interconnection between these policies can also help to contain urban sprawl and provide more liveable urban areas that prioritise walkability and public transport.
In this session, we discuss best practice on integrating land use, housing and transport planning strategies, with a particular focus on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
City access for tourism coaches
Coach travel accounts for a significant contribution to local economies in Europe’s tourism, business travel and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sectors.
In this session, we discuss what cities can do better to facilitate this flow of visitors, not only by decreasing emissions per visitor but also by alleviating potential congestion. In particular, we present findings relevant for tourism coaches resulting from the work of the Expert Group on Urban Mobility’s subgroup on city access for businesses.
- Evening(timing and venue tbc)
European Green Capital / Green Leaf Award Ceremony, Vilnius