Brussels, 17/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has given fresh momentum to plans for sustainable urban mobility. A package of measures was presented on the subject on Tuesday 17 December in order to maintain a pleasant standard of living in towns, with over 70% of Europeans considering that congestion, air quality and accidents are serious problems. The European Commission gives primary importance to local authorities for taking measures in this regard. European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said those authorities are best placed for taking important decisions at local level but they should enjoy support at national and also at EU level. Recommendations are made on coordination in four sectors: urban logistics, regulation of access to urban areas, deployment of solutions based on smart transport systems, and road safety in urban areas. Furthermore, a platform will be set in place next year to exchange best practice on urban mobility. It will be up to town planners and other stakeholders to organise more fluid and environmentally-friendly urban mobility. Member states should also establish good conditions allowing towns to establish and implement their sustainable mobility plans. Several funding methods have been provided for on this subject for the planning period 2014-2020, mainly via the structural funds. (MD/transl.jl)