Health impacts of transport
Urban transport and the way people and goods move in urban areas significantly impact our health, both negatively and positively. The transport sector is responsible for a wide range of impacts on human health originating from emissions, speeds, insufficient services, poorly designed infrastructure and public spaces, and the lack of space for green areas. These challenges must be addressed from different perspectives, such as promoting physical activity, reducing road injuries, improving air and noise quality, fostering social and mental health, etc.
Walking, wheeling and cycling, as active transport modes, are an effective way to enhance the well-being of people living in urban areas and play a crucial role in reducing health issues related to pollution, inactivity, stress, isolation and other conditions.
Projects
POLIS constantly advocates for active transport modes as central to improved mobility in European cities. From earlier work, such as the PASTA—Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approach—to brand new efforts, such as the HL4EU project, POLIS aims to continuously explore the different aspects and connections of health and transport within the Working Group on Active Travel & Health.
New briefing advocates investment in ‘Livable Streets’ for sustainable transport
Breaking free: Key takeaways from the Just Transition Webinar
POLIS Conference 2025 kicks off in Utrecht with a call to put health at the heart of mobility
Another successful meeting for the Green Living Areas Mission: Highlights from the 2nd Institutional Policy Dialogue
Designing for real choice: Key takeaways from the Just Transition Webinar
Get ready for the Opening Plenary at the POLIS Conference 2025!
The EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK 2025 wraps up!
Rome tightens vehicle restrictions in its Low-Emission Zone
Showcase your local action linking health and mobility with the HLEU project
World Bicycle Day 2025: Pedaling towards a healthier, greener future
Subscribe to our project newsletters!
EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK publishes its new guidelines!
World Health Day 2025: On transport and the health of women, babies, and everyone, really
The MOBILITYAWARDS winners have been announced!
New Zero Pollution Dashboard shows the progress in EU cities and regions on pollution levels
Apply now for the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities 2025-2026
The MOBILITYAWARDS finalists have been revealed!
Save the date for the MOBILITYAWARDS ceremony!
Celebrating youth climate changemakers on World Cities Day 2024
POLIS hosts largest cross-cutting Working Group on urban mobility solutions
SOLUTIONSplus publishes new policy brief!
POLIS publishes fourth edition of Cities in motion magazine
Join the HL4EU Call for Action: Support Healthy Lifestyles in Europe
Member in the Spotlight: Vic
Member in the Spotlight: Groningen
Exploring the 15-minute city from concept to practice: POLIS and ACUTE dive in
Flanders puts cycling on the EU agenda
Brussels Low Emission Zone credited with improving local air quality
Starting small, thinking big: The Just Transition is back in business!
New study reviewing mitigation measures to reduce tire and road wear particles has been published
POLIS and EUROCITIES call for strong Euro 7 standards to improve air quality
POLIS publishes second volume of magazine Cities in motion!
Milan and Lisbon to receive funding under BICI initiative
Women shifting gear! Meet the women behind the sustainable mobility transition
ICCT publishes new findings Euro 7 benefits for heavy-duty vehicles
Access Just Transition Webinar: “That’s not feasible without a car”
Registrations now open for the Just Transition Webinar series!
Press release: Introducing LENS, a new Horizon Europe project on noise and air pollution
POLIS launches Just Transition webinar series
POLIS unveils its brand-new magazine ‘Cities in motion’!
POLIS calls on COP27 to take decisive action and listen to cities
POLIS joins TDA Call to Support Active Mobility Capacity Building
Apply to the European Mobility Week award for Mobility Actions
EC acknowledges cities and regions efforts for a more ambitious EURO 7 without delay
London Borough and VivaCity join forces for 15-Minute Neighbourhood
UWE Bristol and Sustrans tackle fair bus fares for youngsters
Joint call for Euro 7 air quality standards without delay
Registration for the Annual POLIS Conference 2022 is now open!
Sustrans publishes new Walking and Cycling Index
Registrations for Urban Mobility Days 2022 are now open
Save the date for the Urban Mobility Days 2022!
Governance & Integration: MOMENTUM, disruption and data
POLIS’ Working Groups: The year so far
POLIS calls for tighter van CO2 limits in order to drive electrification
SAVE THE DATE for the Annual POLIS Conference 2022
New report reveals barriers and enablers to active travel in mid-life
A neighbourhood in Budapest co-creates mobility solutions with its citizens
Barcelona tackles traffic around school districts
Regulating Driverless Cars: New Recommendations Published
EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK 2020 – Registration now open!
Call for Sessions at Urbanism Next Europe 2020 is OPEN
Polis to co-organise European Urbanism Next Conference
Baden-Württemberg: The LEZ of Stuttgart delivers good results
Interreg Europe peer review service is open until June 28
INTERREG Europe: Open call for peer reviews
10 YEARS OF ELENA – supporting investments in energy efficiency and sustainable transport
NACTO Shared-Micromobility in 2018 Report is now available!
New evidence to present the economic benefits of investment in walking and cycling
Upcoming Polis Working Group meetings in 2019
Call to join next round of SUMP Learning Programme extended to 31st January
Covenant of Mayors upcoming events in January/February 2019
Polis represents the EU-funded CIVITAS initiative at Transport Day 2018
Covenant of Mayors upcoming events in Autumn/Winter 2018
Five Polis members guest speakers at first UCI Bike City Forum “Shaping the Future of Active Mobility” in Milan, on 14 November 2018
Draft programme of 2018 Polis Conference released
2017 Polis Conference: Programme launched and registrations open!
- Related Events
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MOBILITYAWARDS Ceremony and Workshops 2025
HL4EU Community Building Conference
Active Travel & Health Working Group webinar: Active travel for all ages
Walk21 Portugal 2024
European Transport Conference 2024
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LENS Workshop: Light vehicles – heavy impact?
Regions and Clean Vehicles & Air Quality working group meeting
LENS 1st Stakeholder Event
TRIPS, INDIMO, and DIGNITY Joint Final Conference
2022 Annual POLIS Conference
Access Working Group Webinar: Interventions to reduce car use in European cities
Urban Mobility Days 2022
5th Strasbourg European Mobility Days
Go Mobility by MUBIL Tradeshow
COP26 Side event: How We Can Make Cities both Healthier and Carbon-Neutral
Mobilising Mobility: Cycle Highway Innovations
3rd CoMotion LA Leadership Conference
Making Climate Services a Reality in Europe 2019
Urban Transitions 2018 Integrating Urban and Transport Planning, Environment and Health for Healthier Urban Living
International Healthy Cities Conference 2018
Just Transition x Active Travel and Health Report: Designing for Real Choice—Infrastructure as an Enabler
SOLUTIONSplus policy brief on Electromobility and Road Safety
Cities in motion – Volume IV: ‘Pathways for Progress’
The 15-minute city: From concept to practice
Cities in motion – Volume II: ‘Leadership for action’