Over 600 European cities and towns involved in the European Mobility Week, more than 1100 liaising with In town without my car!
16 September 2003 - 22 September 2003
Central theme for this year is ACCESSIBILITY, chosen to support the European Year of People with Disabilities. The European Mobility Week will lead up to the In town without my car! day (Car Free Day) falling on a working day, Monday 22 September.
Organised for the first time in September 2002, the European Mobility Week is a major initiative built on the Car Free Day and supported by the European Commission (DG Environment), with the aim to promote sustainable urban mobility and raise public awareness on the negative impact of current urban mobility on our environment and quality of life. More particularly, the European Mobility Week is an opportunity to encourage citizens to change their travel behaviour and shift to more sustainable modes of transport.
The EMW invites cities to create partnerships with local associations and stakeholders and to set up long-lasting initiatives. Cities prove very innovative and creative in the organisation of activities. For example, the city of Leeds (UK) is launching accessibility maps to show people with reduced mobility how to circulate in town. A shop mobility outlet will be set up, enabling people with reduced mobility to use an electric wheel chair to do their shopping. Also the European Commission wants to contribute actively to the initiative and promote sustainable mobility. Commissioner Margot Wallström and Vice President Neil Kinnock will launch the Smart Moves campaign on 16 September, the first day of the Mobility Week. This awareness campaign emphasises how the Commission is determined not only to support EMW, but also to bring about change internally.
The European Mobility Week is establishing itself as a truly European initiative. The number of cities organising the European Mobility Week in 2003 has increased to more than 600, compared to 431 in 2002. This year, 259 cities are participating (signed the European Charter) and 355 supporting (taking part but not 100 % complying with European guidelines).* Both initiatives are also getting popular outside Europe, in Argentina, Taiwan, Canada and Brazil, where cities are organising the Mobility Week and the Car Free Day based on the European experience and the guidelines of the European Charter.,One of the main challenges for 2003 is the organisation of In town without my car! on a working day. This year, the Car Free Day will be celebrated in more than 1100 European cities and towns, with 909 participating and 217 supporting cities.*
Local authorities that are participating in the European Mobility Week 2003, are encouraged to apply for the European Mobility Week Award 2004, rewarding the cities with the most comprehensive and innovative Mobility Week. Deadline for submitting applications is 31 December 2003.
* For the latest numbers, please check http://www.mobilityweek-europe.org(opens in new window)
More information,European Mobility Week website: http://www.mobilityweek-europe.org,European Info Point: ACCESS EUROCITIES for a New Mobility Culture,Tel: + 32 2 552 08 75, e-mail: k.vancluysen@eurocities.be,
Organised for the first time in September 2002, the European Mobility Week is a major initiative built on the Car Free Day and supported by the European Commission (DG Environment), with the aim to promote sustainable urban mobility and raise public awareness on the negative impact of current urban mobility on our environment and quality of life. More particularly, the European Mobility Week is an opportunity to encourage citizens to change their travel behaviour and shift to more sustainable modes of transport.
The EMW invites cities to create partnerships with local associations and stakeholders and to set up long-lasting initiatives. Cities prove very innovative and creative in the organisation of activities. For example, the city of Leeds (UK) is launching accessibility maps to show people with reduced mobility how to circulate in town. A shop mobility outlet will be set up, enabling people with reduced mobility to use an electric wheel chair to do their shopping. Also the European Commission wants to contribute actively to the initiative and promote sustainable mobility. Commissioner Margot Wallström and Vice President Neil Kinnock will launch the Smart Moves campaign on 16 September, the first day of the Mobility Week. This awareness campaign emphasises how the Commission is determined not only to support EMW, but also to bring about change internally.
The European Mobility Week is establishing itself as a truly European initiative. The number of cities organising the European Mobility Week in 2003 has increased to more than 600, compared to 431 in 2002. This year, 259 cities are participating (signed the European Charter) and 355 supporting (taking part but not 100 % complying with European guidelines).* Both initiatives are also getting popular outside Europe, in Argentina, Taiwan, Canada and Brazil, where cities are organising the Mobility Week and the Car Free Day based on the European experience and the guidelines of the European Charter.,One of the main challenges for 2003 is the organisation of In town without my car! on a working day. This year, the Car Free Day will be celebrated in more than 1100 European cities and towns, with 909 participating and 217 supporting cities.*
Local authorities that are participating in the European Mobility Week 2003, are encouraged to apply for the European Mobility Week Award 2004, rewarding the cities with the most comprehensive and innovative Mobility Week. Deadline for submitting applications is 31 December 2003.
* For the latest numbers, please check http://www.mobilityweek-europe.org(opens in new window)
More information,European Mobility Week website: http://www.mobilityweek-europe.org,European Info Point: ACCESS EUROCITIES for a New Mobility Culture,Tel: + 32 2 552 08 75, e-mail: k.vancluysen@eurocities.be,