“Walk with us!” – European Mobility Week 2019

European Mobility Week is being marked in over 2,500 cities and more than 50 countries from 16 – 22 September 2019. This European initiative encourages cities to introduce and promote sustainabl...

European Mobility Week is being marked in over 2,500 cities and more than 50 countries from 16 – 22 September 2019. This European initiative encourages cities to introduce and promote sustainable means of transportation and connect citizens by encouraging them to use alternative means of transportation.

We should use European Mobility Week to raise awareness of the citizens and increasingly ride bicycles, walk or use public transport. We do this because of us, our children and our future. If this becomes a habit, our cities will become cleaner, healthier and more dynamic. Walking and cycling are active life pursuits and are key to the future of European cities. Urban mobility initiatives that promote smart and sustainable public transportation are desirable in every urban environment,” said Ginaluca Vannini, Head of Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross Border Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The motto of this year’s European Mobility Week “Walk with us!” focuses on safe walking and cycling and highlights an often underrated means of mobility – walking. “European Mobility Week” is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate sustainable means of transportation and influence the perception of citizens and encourage them to use environmentally friendly forms of transportation. Sarajevo has good preconditions for citizens who do not wish to use their private cars to go to work. The first step is to raise awareness of the benefits of walking and riding bicycles or electric scooters. With time, the number of citizens using alternative modes of transportation will increase, the quality of life will improve and we will have less pollution,“ says Asmir Hakanović from the Institute for Traffic Engineering and Business Consultancy.

By promoting sustainable means of transportation, the European Union shares a common goal and identity with all cities and countries across the world and Europe that participate in marking European Mobility Week and “Car Free Day”. Tihomir Dakić, Coordinator of the Transport programme of the Centre for Environment from Banja Luka, and National Coordinator of the European Mobility Week in BiH, underlines that BiH cities have realised the importance of promoting these topics. “To change the habits of citizens of BiH when it comes to everyday mobility, we must change the conditions as well. If you build highways for cars, you will have more cars, however, if you provide infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport, you will have less cars on the roads, save time and money and breathe better quality air. In order to make this happen, public institutions, experts and civil society need to work together. So far, civil society has been most involved and interested in this topic,” stresses Dakić.

“We are organising Giro di Sarajevo on the last day of European Mobility Week, which will be an added value to the gathering of Sarajevo cyclists and a clear indicator that we are a positive example which this country needs and should count on if it wants change. We have been trying to raise awareness about the benefits of cycling in Sarajevo for over a decade,” says Nihad Selimović, President of Giro di Sarajevo.

The European Commission’s Directorate General for Environment started the campaign “European Mobility Week” in 2002, and the events culminate ate with the marking of “Car Free Day” on 22 September. The EU Info Centre in BiH, in cooperation with partners and schools across BiH, is participating in a number activities in order to promote sustainable urban mobility and mark European Mobility Week:

  • 16 – 22 September Cycling School “Little Riders”, in primary schools in Bijeljina, Brod, Banja Luka, Buna, Ilijaš, Hadžići, Vogošća, Vrapčići and Rastanci
  • 17 September, “Walk with us!”, 17:00 – 19:00 at Vilsonovo Promenade in Sarajevo
  • 22 September, Cycling Tour “Giro di Sarajevo”, 13:00 – 16:30, Primary School Skender Kulenović, Sarajevo/ Vilsonovo Promenade Sarajevo
  • 22 September Cycling Tour “Two Wheels are Enough!”, 11:00 – 14:00, Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića, Banja Luka