Bologna and Czech association Pěšky městem win European urban mobility awards

On 27 March 2025, Bologna (Italy) and Pěšky městem (Czech Republic) were announced as the winners of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award and the MOBILITYACTION Award, respectively. The awards were presented at a ceremony hosted by the European Commission in Brussels, in recognition of activities conducted in 2024.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, said: “This year’s winners have excelled in designing vibrant, people-friendly public spaces which are not only green but also thriving hubs of community and connection. The finalists have demonstrated that popular tourist destinations can also serve local communities by promoting sustainable transport. Congratulations to all!”

Bologna (Italy) – winner of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2024

The jury selected the City of Bologna (Italy) for making sustainable mobility concepts and activities more accessible to the public. During EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, the city hosted a variety of information stands and educational activities related to sustainable urban mobility plans and the transformation of public space. Many local private and citizen-led organisations were involved in the planning of events, which helped foster a sense of community ownership. Of particular note is also the Bologna 30 initiative, whereby 70% of roads in the municipality have been permanently reduced to 30 km/h zones. The week’s events ended with a car-free day in the city’s historical and commercial centre.

The other finalists are Braga (Portugal) and Leipzig (Germany).

Pěšky městem (Czech Republic) - winner of the MOBILITYACTION Award 2024

Pěšky městem (Czech Republic), impressed the jury for its promotion of active mobility, with a nationwide campaign involving 501 schools across 338 Czech cities, encouraging children and parents to walk to school during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK. The campaign highlights the benefits of walking for children’s health and for the environment. Emphasis is placed on learning safe, healthy and sustainable transport habits from an early age. Leaning into the 2024 theme ‘shared public space’, the campaign also fosters safer and more inclusive communities, particularly by reducing the volume of car traffic in the vicinity of schools.

The other finalists are Associació Amics de Ca la Cileta del Palau d'Anglesola (El Palau d’Anglesola, Spain) and Bucharest-Ilfov Public Transport Intercommunity Development Association (Bucharest, Romania).

The small town of Solčava (Slovenia) received a special mention during the ceremony for its remarkable efforts in engaging both senior and younger residents on sustainable urban mobility. Solčava, with its 500 inhabitants, showcased that rural communities can play a vital role in encouraging greater use of public transport among residents.

Background

EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK (16-22 September every year) is the European Commission’s leading campaign on sustainable urban mobility. It promotes behavioural change in favour of active mobility, public transport and other clean transport solutions.

A MOBILITYACTION is an initiative promoting sustainable urban mobility, organised by businesses, educational institutions, civil society organisations, citizen initiatives, municipalities, etc., which can be registered all year round. Mobility management planning solutions are especially welcome. Sustainable urban mobility can help lower carbon emissions, improve air quality, and make Europe’s towns and cities more pleasant places to live and work.

In 2024, over 2,700 towns and cities from 45 countries participated in EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK. Additionally, more than 900 businesses, educational institutions, civil society organisations, citizen initiatives  and municipalities registered a MOBILITYACTION.

For more information on the campaign, visit www.mobilityweek.eu.