Brussels, 17/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Mobility Week is launched by the European Commission in Brussels on Thursday, to promote sustainable modes of transport in cities. The week will culminate with the now traditional 'Car Free Day' on 22 September. This year's theme is "Safe Streets for Children," and over 1,000 cities across the European Union will participate. “Thousands of citizens across Europe commute to and from work, facing traffic jams, polluted air and noise," says European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström. "It is not an easy task for local decision makers to stand up for - what is perceived as- restrictive mobility policies. However, we must meet the challenge head-on. There are no excuses for not taking concrete steps to improve and make mobility sustainable in cities. The conference will show that it is possible and that the technology is available and will support those that make smart moves for sustainable mobility.”
Commission Vice President Neil Kinnock, Pieter Van Geel, Minister for the Environment in the Netherlands (and acting Chair of the Environment Council), and Pascal Smet, Minister of Mobility in Brussels, attended the launch conference, "Smart Moves for Sustainable Mobility". The conference was also attended by representatives of Member States' local authorities, European Automobile Manufacturers, fuel and energy scientists and strategists.