When is the European Mobility Week?

The European Mobility Week takes place every year from 16 to 22 September. The 22nd of September represents the highlight of the Week as participants organise the car free day on this particular date.

Who can participate?

The European Mobility Week is open to all local authorities.

Why should I organise a Mobility Week?

The Week gives the opportunity to initiate a wide range of activities and represents a platform for local authorities as well as organisations and associations to:

• promote existing policies, initiatives and best practices related to sustainable urban mobility.
• contribute to raising citizens’ awareness on the damages that current urban mobility trends generate on the environment and the quality of life.
• establish performing partnerships with local stakeholders.
• launch new longer term policies and permanent measures.
• test traffic measures and consult with citizens.
• raise awareness of citizens on growing concerns such as air quality, road safety or climate change.

It gives people space to think about what our urban streets are really for. Have we got the balance right between competing streets users? Should our streets and residential suburbs be designed in order to maximise motor traffic or should the emphasis be on designing social spaces where people can meet each other, shop, take exercise and enjoy other activities in a liveable environment?

What are the criteria’s for participation?

Participants commit themselves in: organising a full week of activities, taking into account the focal theme. implementing at least one new practical measure that is made permanent and which contributes to modal transfer from the private car to sustainable modes of transport. organising ‘In Town Without My Car’, preferably on 22 September.

Can I choose to organise only ‘In Town Without My Car’?

Yes, local authorities can decide not to take part in the whole Week. Local authorities that decide to only participate to ‘In Town Without My Car’ are requested to set aside one or several areas that are reserved solely for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport during the entire day. They also should organise this car-free day on 22 September. This date is not optional for them.

How can I register?

Local authorities register online at www.mobilityweek.eu/registration. Procedures are simple but if in doubt, please contact Olivier Lagarde at www.energie-cites.eu/olivier. Participants should also complete and sign the European Mobility Week Charter (downloadable from the website). In principle, the Charter should be signed by your Mayor but it can also be any other elected official that has the power to decide on this matter. The Charter should be sent back to your national coordinator. Please consult the list on the website. If no national coordinator is appointed in your country, please send the Charter to the European focal point: EUROCITIES asbl, Square de Meeûs 18, 1050 Brussels.

What type of activities should I organise?

A wide range of activities are available to local authorities. The only criteria indicated is that all activities undertaken during the Week should be in line with the focal theme chosen and should promote sustainable mobility for all. The three main sustainable means for transport including the links between them (intermodality) will naturally form the basis of the majority of activities. You can find concrete proposals of activities in the Handbooks developed every year by the European coordination.

What length of road should be closed?

It is not specified. Nevertheless, we encourage local authorities to make an effective use of this car-free day in order to highlight rat-running traffic through, for example, a residential street and maybe test a possible future solution. Some ambitious events have involved closing several kilometres of streets.

Won’t this upset local motorists and shopkeepers?

According to opinion poll surveys of previous years, such campaigns are very popular. If your Week is organised sensitively and in consultation with citizens, you will end up with a positive streets-for-people event. Opinion polls consistently show that the majority of car drivers support these campaigns.

What kind of permanent measures should I launch?

Permanent measures can range from the creation of new bicycle paths or HOV lanes to a joint procurement of companies and the city for high quality clean vehicles. Traffic calming measures and access control schemes can also be considered with a reduction of speed limits in several neighbourhoods or a road space reallocation programme. Examples of permanent measures are: 1.Creation or enlargement of pedestrian areas 2.Improvement of bicycle network (creation of new lanes, extension, renovation etc) 3.Launch of online car-pooling and car-sharing services 4.Permanent access restriction to city centres 5.Development of accessible transport services for all 6.Adoption of workplace travel plans and school travel plans 7.Creation of mobility centres and online information services (ie. journey planner) 8.Speed reduction programmes in zones near schools 9.Creation of walking buses and cycling buses schemes 10.Inauguration of new ecological bus fleets Permanent measures for sustainable urban transport don’t need to be expensive and can have a different size or scope. The cost can range from a few hundred euros for reflecting material for cyclists of a bicycle pool project, to big investments in public transport or cycle infrastructure. What is the added-value of such permanent measures? Permanent measures make the EMW campaign last a whole year long. It reminds people of the fact that less motorised traffic in town is possible. Permanent measures show that the commitment of the city of town does not stop at the end of the EMW, and that the local authority, its politicians and its services are willing to invest in the future and in a new mobility culture.

Who should take the lead in organising such Week?

In most successful cases, it is a partnership of local interests led by the local authority. However, it is a question of what works best for you. Original ideas and voluntary inputs can come from local NGOs, transport providers or schools. A broad alliance of interests ensures the success of the event. Local authorities are then encouraged to enter local partnerships.

How should we get started?

Potential partners should consider what activities could be undertaken for EMW and which street(s) should be closed for ‘In Town Without My Car’. It will help considerably to have a good network of contacts and to be able to share the workload. Consultation with key stakeholders is key.

How much time will it take me to organise the Week?

It depends how ambitious you are and what types of activities you are planning. Nevertheless, it is strongly advised to start planning the Week six months in advance. This will allow you to communicate your plans well-ahead of the Week and ensure a wide citizens participation.

Does it have to be a big expensive street party?

No! In fact, it is just the opposite. Modest events are usually very successful in raising awareness of the local communities about transport concerns and future prospects.

Is it an unnecessary burden for busy transport planners?

The Week should be a tool to help get the job done. Transport planners can use the Week as a platform or lever to push forward an existing agenda or try out new ideas.

What materials are available to help with the campaign?

A wide range of materials are available to download from the European website www.mobilityweek.eu such as posters and logos. These materials can be used freely by all participants of the Week (including official partners such as NGOs, schools, businesses).

How can we get good positive coverage in the local press both before and after the European Mobility Week?

The key is to inform and involve local papers and broadcasters at the earliest planning stages, even invite them to meetings, show them clearly the benefits of the campaign and how it fits into your longer term plans and transport strategy.

How can I attract people to the events?

One key objective is to attract a large number of people to the activities. You should plan your events in strategic places and showcase the events and sustainable transport messages to the media.

Further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your national coordinator or the European focal point.