This year, European Mobility Week is focusing on ‘safe walking and cycling’ and the ways active mobility can benefit our health, environment, and bank balances.
The campaign aims to improve public health and quality of life through promoting clean mobility and sustainable urban transport by giving people the chance to explore the role of city streets and experiment with practical solutions to tackle urban challenges, such as air pollution.
At the time of this news story being published 2,806 cities from 48 countries have registered to participate. Towns and cities which have registered their participation in the week are set to showcase their commitment to clean and sustainable urban transport through a range of ways including
1) organising activities that celebrate sustainable urban transport
2) implementing permanent measures to contribute to people making sustainable transport choices
3) carrying out a car-free day event by closing one or more streets to traffic and instead opening it to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport on 22 September to mark world car-free day
In past years, permanent measures which have been implemented include new or improved bicycle facilities, traffic calming and access control schemes and pedestrianisation.
Global Fleet Champions calls on all organisations that employ people who drive for work to prioritise safety and sustainability of movement, through good leadership and robust policies and procedures. The campaign is underpinned by five pillars that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Decade of Action for Road Safety and its ‘safe systems’ approach to road safety.
The Journey routing and modal choice pillar promotes planning the safest, most sustainable routes possible. The safest journey is one that doesn’t happen at all. The second-best journey is one that is as safe and environmentally friendly as possible.
As an organisation that employs people who drive for work you can reduce risk and lower fuel emissions by enabling active travel and shared journeys, reducing the distance your drivers have to travel, and avoiding routes that are used by people who walk or cycle. Good journey planning is good for people, good for the planet and good for business. Download our Journey routing and modal choice pillar infographic for tips or watch the recording of our recent Essentials of Fleet Safety 4 webinar for advice and guidance from industry experts and academics.
European Mobility Week takes place Monday 16 – Sunday 22 September 2019. To find out how you can get involved and download campaign resources visit the official European Mobility Week website here.