EU Commissioner Violeta Bulc launches European Mobility Week

European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc will today inaugurate a series of sustainable transport activities at the launch of European Mobility Week, which takes place from 16 to 22 September at the European Parliament. Speaking ahead of the launch event, Bulc said: “European Mobility Week is a reminder that each and every one of us can make a difference. If we choose to walk or cycle more, to favour collective or public transport or to combine these sustainable modes, Europe as a whole can reap c
UTC / September 16, 2015
European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc will today inaugurate a series of sustainable transport activities at the launch of European Mobility Week, which takes place from 16 to 22 September at the European Parliament.

Speaking ahead of the launch event, Bulc said: “European Mobility Week is a reminder that each and every one of us can make a difference. If we choose to walk or cycle more, to favour collective or public transport or to combine these sustainable modes, Europe as a whole can reap considerable societal benefits. Put together, our individual choices can reduce CO2 emissions, urban congestion, noise, accidents, air pollution and create a better mobility."

European Mobility Week promotes EU policy in the areas of transport, climate change, energy efficiency and sustainable urban development. It also builds awareness about sustainable mobility with its message reaching approximately 170 million people in Europe and beyond.

One of the highlights of this year's European Mobility Week will be the car-free day, during which cities are partially closed to motorised traffic, allowing only pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and clean vehicles (e.g. electric cars). This year, around 2,000 European towns and cities are also participating in the campaign with a full week of events focused on sustainable transport. Information on local campaign programmes can be found <%$Linker:2External<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary />000oLinkExternalhereVisit www.mobilityweek.eu website falsehttp://www.mobilityweek.eu/citiesfalsefalse%>.

As stressed by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in his speech on the state of the Union, the fight against climate change will be won or lost in cities, where 75 per cent of Europeans live and where 80 per cent of Europe’s energy is consumed. This year’s European Mobility Week will have a special focus on multimodality, allowing for citizens to choose, change and combine transport modes.