The 2023 winners of the European Mobility Week and Mobility Action urban mobility awards have been announced. European Mobility Week is held from September 16th – 22nd every year, giving towns and cities the opportunity to host a car-free day, along with activities and planning measures to promote new infrastructure and raise awareness of sustainable mobility options. Mobility Actions encourages organizations to register mobility management plans, share good practice examples and promote behavioral change in favor of sustainable mobility options throughout the year.
European Mobility Week selected the City of Budapest, Hungary as 2023’s winner for its successful car-free weekend – which included 10,000 participants – and Car-Free Day which was held on September 22nd. During the event, the Mayor of Budapest announced comprehensive plans for the construction of a new pedestrian area along the Danube embankment. Along with the City of Vienna, Budapest also hosted a public event to promote best practice in walking and cycling policies, as well as discussions with the BKK – Centre for Budapest Transport Balázs Mór Klub – on how to ‘Save Energy’ in transport.
Other award finalists include: Amadora, Portugal for partnering with local and regional authorities, major brands – such as IKEA and Decathlon – and with Europe-wide campaigns – such as Kidical Mass – to promote walking, cycling and public transport; and Innsbruck, Austria for addressing the 2023 theme of ‘Save Energy’ in various ways, including: allowing public transport subscription holders to travel with up to three friends; hosting an event on the practical aspects of e-mobility; and offering free rental of city bikes on World Car-Free Day.
Nudgd – an online platform leveraging behavioral science to promote sustainable school travel – in Helsingborg, Sweden was the winner in the Mobility Action category due to its interactive approach to encourage students, parents and teachers to use active travel.
Nudged provided approximately 2,400 parents, guardians and school staff from 25 schools with the platform, which gently ‘nudged’ them using smart tips, interactive maps, and quizzes to encourage interest in active commuting. During the pilot phase of the project, Nudgd reported that almost 40% of participants changed, or planned to change, to a more active mode of transport, exceeding its target of 30%. The platform supports the City of Helsingborg’s goals to step up cycling, and promote safer, more sustainable travel.
“I applaud this year’s winners and finalists for their truly innovative thinking in saving energy through mobility, redesigning the public space in creative ways, as well as the online space. Cities are our best laboratories for the mobility of tomorrow,” said Adina Vălean, European commissioner for transport.