European Mobility Week: Focus on sustainable and energy-efficient mobility

The European Mobility Week kicks off tomorrow in 3000 towns and cities in 50 countries. This year’s focus is sustainable and energy-efficient mobility. Embracing active mobility, public transport and other clean and intelligent transport solutions reduces energy use and emissions, saves money, and promotes a healthy lifestyle.  

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 3000 cities take part in European Mobility Week this year and they are living proof of their power to change things.” 

In Brussels, 17 September will be a car-free day, which will be kicked off with a discussion organised by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. 

Additionally, on 20 September, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, together with Commissioner Vălean and Michelle Yeoh, will launch a global two-year campaign, ‘Make a Safety Statement’. Running in more than 1000 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, will continue the discussion on how to make mobility in cities more sustainable and see the launch of the European Cycling Declaration.