| Author (Person) | Davies, Eric |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 13.9.02 |
| Publication Date | 14/09/2002 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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Monday 16 September sees the launch of European Mobility Week. The first of its kind to be held in Europe, the Week builds on the success of the European Car Free Day. Starting on Monday 16 September with a Public Transport Day, the Week includes a Cycling Day and a Living Streets / Greenways Day, on 18 and 20 September respectively, and ends on Sunday 22 September with the annual Car Free Day. With other possible 'theme days' include responsible car use, mobility management, leisure/shopping and healthy mobility, European Mobility Week is seen as an opportunity for local authorities and other bodies associated with transport and environmental issues to:
The European Commissioner for the Environment, Margot Wallström, who will launch the Week at an opening ceremony in Brussels, said the initiative 'builds on the success of the European Car Free Day and aims to raise awareness of the need to change our mobility patterns. We are offering citizens a unique opportunity to come together and do something concrete and positive to improve quality of life and to combat climate change in Europe. I sincerely hope many local authorities will take up this challenge and join the European Mobility Week initiative.' European Car Free Day (also referred to as the 'In Town, Without My Car!' initiative) has its origins in an initiative launched by the French Environment Minister Dominique Voynet in 1998. Held on 22 September each year, the event is thought to have attracted 100 million people from 30 countries in 2001. This year more than 1300 cities and towns in 35 European countries will participate, by establishing car-free areas and encouraging people to 'rediscover' urban areas on foot, or by using bicycles and public transport. 322 of the towns and cities involved will also participate in the new European Mobility Week initiative. Surveys conducted during earlier 'In town, without my car!' initiatives showed that some 90% of participants approve of the idea; respondents were reportedly 'appreciated being able to move around more easily on foot and found the town less polluted, quieter and less stressful.' Figures also suggest that at least as many people visited the town centres as on a normal day, with many opting to walk rather than drive (in some cases because their usual parking places were closed, so they completed the journey on foot). Further information can be seen in these external links: Eric Davies European Mobility Week begins on 16 September 2002 with a Public Transport Day to be followed by a Cycling Day, a Living Streets Day, a Greenways Day and the annual Car Free Day. |
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| Subject Categories | Mobility and Transport |
