The European Mobility Week, held each year from 16-22 September, is the European Commission’s flagship campaign to promote sustainable urban mobility. This awareness-raising initiative encourages local authorities and European citizens to engage in activities that promote behavioural change towards more sustainable transport modes, such as active mobility and public transport. Among many innovative initiatives and active contributions to intelligent transport, ERTICO’s work on EU-funded projects and innovation platforms strongly supports the objectives of this annual event, contributing to advancing sustainable and more resilient Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and smart mobility solutions.
This year, the theme ‘Shared Public Space’, emphasises inclusive spaces where various transport modes and mobility solutions coexist holistically. By focusing on shared public space, the campaign underlines the benefits of creating urban environments that prioritise social equity, road safety, and environmental health, ultimately leading to a higher quality of life for all. By fostering collaboration among its Partners and external stakeholders, ranging from public authorities to industry, and research institutions to mention a few, ERTICO drives progress in areas like traffic management, urban mobility, and mobility-as-a-servics (MaaS) among many others. These advancements are essential for realising the sustainable and smart transport systems championed by European Mobility Week.
ERTICO is involved in the SINFONICA project and coordinates the CulturalRoad project, both of which place a strong emphasis on inclusivity and transport equity to promote safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility for the benefit of all. Several activities during the European Mobility Week will take place in the SINFONICA Groups of Interest and CulturalRoad demonstration sites, such as the West Midlands, Trikala, Hamburg, Barcelona, and Karlsruhe.
Similarly, ERTICO is also part of the SUM project which facilitates the transformation of urban mobility involving the integration of new shared mobility modes with public transport. The city of Coimbra, one of the project’s use cases, is actively taking part in the European Mobility Week. ERTICO also participates in the InclusiveSpaces project, which focuses on co-designing accessible and inclusive urban environments while incorporating sustainable and climate-friendly practices. Among others, Hamburg serves as a pilot site under its master plan “Green, Inclusive, Growing City by the Water – Perspectives on Urban Development in Hamburg,” which aims to transform Hamburg into a truly inclusive city by enhancing the accessibility and experiential value of public spaces, such as parks and playgrounds.
As European Mobility Week continues to grow in influence, with more towns and cities joining each year, the combined efforts of initiatives like this and the pioneering work of organisations like ERTICO are helping to pave the way towards a more sustainable and connected future for urban transport across Europe. The week-long event culminates in the popular Car-Free Day, where cities around the continent close their streets to motorised traffic, offering a glimpse into a future where public spaces are designed for people rather than vehicles. This event not only highlights the importance of reducing our reliance on cars but also provides an opportunity for cities to trial new planning measures, promote cutting-edge infrastructure, and gather valuable public feedback on these initiatives.
As more cities join the campaign each year, the synergy between such initiatives and ERTICO’s pioneering efforts is crucial in shaping a more sustainable and interconnected future for urban transport across Europe.
