European Mobility Week – September 16-22, 2024

History of European Mobility Week

Since 2002, European Mobility Week has been celebrated annually. It is a European Commission initiative to promote sustainable urban mobility. It requires cities and towns in Europe to dedicate a week to clean and sustainable movement. A theme is selected every year. This Commission has declared 2022 to be the European Year of Youth. Several traffic-related events take place during the week. Streets are temporarily closed to cars but accessible by walking or cycling. In 2021, there were 53 countries signed up and 3,284 cities and towns.

The holiday aims to promote a more healthy lifestyle. The human body needs to move to stay fit and healthy. Due to the nature of today’s work and lifestyle, most people don’t move as much as they should. They may struggle to find the time or opportunity to engage in physical activities. A sedentary lifestyle of sitting in traffic, on a couch in front of the T.V., or working at a desk can be detrimental to human health.

Sustainable mobility gives people the opportunity to add exercise to their daily routines. It also helps to save money by offering cheaper transportation options. Active means of transportation such as walking and cycling help protect the environment. They do not produce harmful emissions. Cities, where more people prefer walking and cycling to private cars, generally afford a better quality of life. These cities are considered more attractive and less congested. Their residents tend to be healthier, happier, and more relaxed. European Mobility week promotes clean and sustainable transportation and all its benefits for society.