Brussels, 15/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - “Alternative Mobility” is the theme on which European Mobility Week will be based for the 10th year in a row. This event has now acquired a global dimension. It will be taking place between 16-22 September and on its 10th anniversary it will bring together 1,944 cities (mainly European but also cities from Argentina, Brazil, Japan and Taiwan) to focus on one objective: promoting alternative means of transport to private cars, which still predominate in cities, despite the noise, air pollution, congestion and shrinking public space.
Janez Potoènik, Commissioner for Environment, said: “For 10 years now European Mobility Week has been supporting cities in building a better environment for citizens. It's been a tremendous success, and it's now become a global phenomenon. Mobility Week allows people to think about new and better ways to travel and contribute to making their cities more pleasant places to live in.”
Walking, cycling and public transport will be highlighted as less polluting modes of transport that save on energy, are more climate friendly and promote a greater quality of life.
European Mobility Week was set up in 2002 to acquaint citizens with more sustainable modes of transport and to encourage them to adopt new forms of behaviour that were more environmentally friendly, through permanent and temporary measures implemented by the local authorities. The event is jointly co-ordinated by the Commission and urban environmental specialist NGOs (Energy Cities, Climate Alliance and BIO Intelligence Service). It enjoys financial support from the Commission (DG Environment), which awards the annual prize for the best activity programmes and measures in this area. Participating cities responding to certain admission criteria are encouraged to submit their candidacies for the 2011 European Mobility Week prize. Programme and information: http://www.mobilityweek.eu (AN/transl.fl)