European Mobility Week: 3,000 cities to showcase their approaches to sustainable urban mobility

Sustainable and energy-efficient mobility are the focus of this year’s European Mobility Week, which kicks off in 3000 towns and cities in 50 countries from tomorrow. Embracing active mobility, public transport and other clean, intelligent, transport solutions reduces energy use and emissions, saves money, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. This has never been more important. Activities around Europe this week include the car-free day, bicycle festivals, electric vehicle test events, road safety training, factory visits that showcase the diversity of transport jobs, and more.

Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: "Cities may only occupy 4% of EU land area, but 75% of EU citizens call them home. By transitioning to more sustainable and efficient mobility solutions, the cities can make a difference for their inhabitants and those beyond - be it in terms of less pollution, and better connectivity for all.  As many as 3,000 cities take part in European Mobility Week this year and they are living proof of their power to change things."

Car-free day in Brussels on 17 September will be kicked off with a discussion between Director-General for Mobility & Transport Magda Kopczyńska and Mobility Minister Elke van den Brandt, organised by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Furthermore, on September 20, the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Road Safety, Jean Todt, accompanied by Commissioner Vălean and Michelle Yeoh will launch a global two-year campaign, ‘Make a Safety Statement’. Running in more than 1,000 cities in 80 countries, it will seek to reduce the number of victims on the world’s roads. The Urban Mobility Days conference on 4-6 October in Seville, organised in cooperation with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will continue the discussion on how to make mobility in cities more sustainable.