“Alternative Mobility” was selected as the campaign theme for this year’s European Mobility Week (EMW) in order to bring to light resource-efficient alternatives to break the stranglehold of private cars in urban transport. The growing challenges set by predominantly fuel-driven transportation are addressed in the Europe 2020 strategy, which supports a shift towards a resource efficient, low carbon economy. The aim is sustainable growth, a target which European Mobility Week can help to achieve.
"For ten years already EMW has been supporting cities in building a better environment for citizens. This year's edition, ‘Alternative Mobility’, encourages us to look at mobility in new ways and to make it more resource efficient and less polluting. Clean public transport or cycling are just some of the clean alternatives to private cars," explains Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment.
Increasingly the overuse of cars is damaging the quality of life in our cities. Noise, air pollution, congestion and reduced public space have become common problems in modern cities. As resources like energy – but also land, water and raw materials – become increasingly scarce, there is growing awareness of the need for alternative forms of transport that could help cut greenhouse gas emissions, produce less pollution and consume fewer resources.
EMW 2011 aims to encourage more European citizens living in urban areas to use low-carbon modes of transport, such as walking, biking or public transport. By choosing these healthier and more sustainable modes of travel over the car, citizens can help society’s transition towards a more energy-efficient, carbon-restrained environment, while positively influencing their quality of life. Human-powered means of transport could also bring co-benefits in terms of exercise, and help reduce the high levels of obesity across Europe. The objective of EMW 2011 is to show that alternative models exist and are effective in providing better living conditions in cities.
Participating towns and cities are encouraged to sign the European Mobility Week Charter and register their activities on the official EMW 2011 website. In addition, participating towns and cities meeting certain eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for the EMW Award 2011. This prestigious accolade rewards those cities judged to have organised the most innovative EMW 2011 campaigns in terms of quality of activities linked to the annual theme and range of permanent measures implemented. The city of Almada (Portugal) was the 2010 EMW Award Winner, with Murcia (Spain) and Riga (Latvia) as runner-ups.
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