On-Demand Mobility Operators sign New Paradigm for Safe City Streets

Now more than ever, traffic safety remain a priority for European cities and operators. Local authorities and mobility providers have showcased their commitment for safer streets by signing "The New Paradigm for Safe City Streets", which now includes the support of TIER Mobility, Move EU and FREE NOW.

Coordinated by POLIS and EUROCITIES, The Paradigm for Safe City Streets is a city declaration that sets out the necessary principles for sound effective actions for traffic safety. Signed during the closing plenary session of the Annual Polis Conference 2019, the declaration has received the endorsement of local authorities, private mobility stakeholders and associations across Europe.

The declaration now counts the approval of all members of EU Move, the European Association of On-Demand Mobility, which includes FREE NOW, Bolt, TIER and Uber.

Micromobility operators and local authorities understand and agree with the Declaration’s Principle 4, according to which mobility must be safe, or it won’t become sustainable: “Streets must be safe for people to embrace sustainable modes, and for cities to mitigate climate change. Improving the safety of our streets will unlock the potential for walking, cycling, public transport and a growing number of shared micro-mobility options to advance climate and air quality objectives.”

Move EU is the European Association for On Demand Mobility, bringing together the leading actors in the field of ride-hailing with the aim to foster sustainable deployment of on-demand mobility and new mobility services in the EU. Move EU Members include Bolt, FREE NOW and Uber.

Aurélien Pozzana, Move EU’s Chair states: “Move EU is proud to announce its endorsement of POLIS’ City Declaration The New Paradigm for Safe City Streets. Move EU members are committed to increasing urban road safety and to contribute to reaching VisionZero. On demand transport modes such as ride-hailing offer flexibility as well as safety and thereby complement public transport. Move EU is joining the effort of road safety, local and regional authorities and reiterates their commitment in building a safe urban mobility system”

Ashwini Chhabra, TIER’s Chief Public Policy Officer

TIER Mobility, leading shared micro-mobility operator that provides a range of shared light electric vehicles, from e-scooters to e-bikes and e-mopeds has stated their support of the Declaration.

Ashwini Chhabra, TIER’s Chief Public Policy Officer states, “TIER is proud to stand with POLIS, EUROCITIES and the numerous signatory cities to pledge to make our streets safer for all users. And we hope that this declaration will inspire many more cities across Europe and beyond to join the Vision Zero movement. We have an opportunity right now to shape future road safety investment and to proactively improve pedestrian, cyclist and micro-mobility users’ safety in an impactful way.”

FREE NOW is one of Europe's leading ride-hailing apps that connects more than 14 million passengers with drivers in more than 100 cities across Europe. FREE NOW is on a mission to "empower smarter mobility decisions, helping people to move freely and cities to thrive"

Marc Berg, CEO of Free NOW

For CEO Marc Berg, this is an important step in the right direction, “We’re on a mission to empower smarter mobility decisions, helping people to move freely and cities to thrive. Our streets have to become safe, for urban mobility to become smart.”

As the Declaration sates, Mobility must be safe, or it won’t become sustainable: “Streets must be safe for people to embrace sustainable modes, and for cities to mitigate climate change. Improving the safety of our streets will unlock the potential for walking, cycling, public transport and a growing number of shared mobility options to advance climate and air quality objectives.”

Adopting a ‘Vision Zero’ approach and making it a reality requires political leadership, strategic clarity and decisive action, as well as the ownership of all involved – elected officials, transport professionals and citizens. Cities and mobility operators play a crucial role to play in achieving zero traffic injuries by 2030.

Full Declaration and more information here