Bologna wins Mobility Week Award 2011

The two Commissioners handed over the award at yesterday's ceremony in Brussels and stressed the importance of reaching out to local populations when working to achieve more sustainable urban transport.

Bologna's perfomance was outstanding as the city organised a Car Free weekend instead of just one day, as it set up a large car-free zone at the heart of the city for the week and as authorities invited citizens to contribute their views to the plan of permanent measures. The permanent measures implemented included building charging points for electric cars and a plan to extend the city's network of cycling paths to 130 km. This pedestrian area was open to street performers, retailers and sports associations and as the initiative attracted over 60 000 visitors, the city authorities have decided to repeat it in future events. The city also organised numerous bike tours, bicycle workshops and self-repair stands, games, walks and an exhibition on electric cars. Police officers participated in information sessions giving tips and explanations on safe cycling to families and an information point was set up for citizens to learn about new services offered to cyclists.

Besides Bologna, the cities of Larnaka (Cyprus) and Zagreb (Croatia) were the finalists. The 2011 Mobility Week's central theme was "alternative mobility". This year the jury has paid special attention to the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the preparation and organisation of European Mobility Week, the integration of the main themes and activities within the campaign, as well as the comprehensiveness of the events, activities and permanent measures undertaken.

The 2012 theme for the European Mobility Week (16-22 September 2012) is "Moving in the right direction” and has a special focus on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs).

More information: http://www.mobilityweek.eu