Cities across the EU are keen to learn how to get people out of their cars, walking & cycling instead.

From Cork in Ireland to Riga in Latvia, and Tartu, Estonia; from Aarhus, Norway to  Aviles, Spain & Ferrara, Italy; they came to Gdansk, Poland in early April.  They  came to this Polish mecca to hear from other cities and technical experts what can be done about the problems of traffic congestion, air pollution, obesity, and a myriad other issues related to the overuse of private motor vehicles

What they heard

The city of Antwerp will use the challenge of major roadworks in the city to their benefit as they inform companies and employees on alternatives to car use.

Donostia/San Sebastian is contacting people who are new to the area, i.e. recently moved into the area by reaching parents at 6-8 schools.  

 In Gdansk schools compete to walk and cycle more. Veronica Reynolds from Intelligent Health says “Its great fun for kids & schools.” Grzegorz Krajewski,  the Project Manager in the Active Mobility Team  of Gdansk said that “the competition was one of the driving factors for the schools to join the project.”

2015 is the “Year of Walking” in Vienna, and the city is going all out for the occasion. For one thing the so called Cycling Mayor, Maria Vassilakou, Vice-Mayor and Vice-Governor, has gotten a new crown. In 2015 she is the Walking Mayor.

They  published a map for specially pedestrians (order yours here in German)  which includes shortcuts that are only possible on foot. They also placed 1000 diamonds around the city that can be collected by intrepid walkers with smart phones.

 “What Vienna has done with their map is really enlightened,” says Jim Walker from Walk21, a technical expert. “They’ve taken a boring map and existing data and put a new front end on it, which makes it an exciting tool for people to use.”

A lot of cycling and cyclists were involved in the production of the walking map of Vienna according to Petra Jens (link in German). She’s the woman behind the scene, some of the time at least, for pedestrians in Vienna. “It took us quite a while to make the cycling map of Vienna, (link in German)  and we learned a lot.,” she said.  As a result “We were able to make the Vienna walking map in just a few short months. Now it’s close to sold out and we’ll have to have another printing.” The quiet smile of satisfaction on her face belied a pride that runs deep in this city official working for active mobility in Vienna.

About Switch

Switch is an innovative EU – funded project, focuses on life changing moments when people transfer schools; move home; or receive medical advice to increase their physical activity.  Switch campaigns target willing people and provide personalised travel plans to support an interest in walking and cycling more. 

Switch Travel – a practical resource to help reduce urban car traffic by encouraging the Switch from short car trips to walking and cycling. An enthusiastic group of experts (including ECF) and lead cities from across Europe combine practical expertise with a clear and transferable methodology and tried and tested examples of locally effective campaigns. Switch can improve the air quality, health, economic vitality and quality of life in urban areas by reducing green house gas emissions.  Switch can also help transport policies across Europe to deliver an increase in walking and cycling for short journeys in urban areas. Embracing active travel Switch demonstrates with real-life evidence of successful behaviour change campaigns  that it is entirely possible to encourage people to Switch from cars to walking and cycling for most urban trips in Europe.