WHO promotes active mobility for healthier, greener European cities

The World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting the importance of active mobility - particularly walking and cycling - as a means to address rising levels of physical inactivity. In the WHO European Region alone, inactivity is estimated to cause around one million deaths each year. These figures are linked to a range of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that continue to strain the region’s healthcare systems and resources.

Active mobility: Health, environmental, and economic gains

Active forms of transport, such as walking and cycling, provide numerous benefits that extend far beyond just transportation.

Research shows that these activities can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and obesity. By promoting better health, they ease the strain on healthcare systems, saving valuable resources.

In addition to the health benefits, choosing walking or cycling over driving helps alleviate urban congestion, improve air quality, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike conventional vehicles, active transport contributes little to noise pollution, helping to create cleaner, quieter, and more livable cities. Streets designed with pedestrians and cyclists in mind also reduce traffic speeds, fostering safer and more vibrant urban environments.

The rise of active mobility also supports the creation of green jobs and plays a crucial role in advancing key sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on health, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience.

WHO’s active push for healthier transport options

The WHO’s European Programme of Work for 2020–2025, United Action for Better Health in Europe, highlights sustainable and healthy transport as a key focus area. This initiative is part of a larger framework that includes the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity, the WHO European Environment and Health Process, and the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP), which WHO/Europe leads in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

WHO’s approach to promoting active moblity includes developing and distributing tools that assess the health impacts of walking and cycling as viable transport options, while also offering guidance to governments on integrating health considerations into urban and transport planning. Public campaigns and social media outreach further support this effort, aiming to raise awareness of the long-term advantages of adopting sustainable, health-oriented transport practices.

#LetsGetMoving: A 100-point campaign for walking and cycling

The WHO launched the #LetsGetMoving! campaign through its European Centre for Environment and Health. Developed for THE PEP, this campaign highlights the wide-ranging benefits of active mobility, encouraging the public to embrace walking and cycling as everyday choices. By showcasing 100 reasons to incorporate these activities into daily routines, the initiative emphasises the value of physical activity, not just for individuals, but for communities and the planet at large.

The campaign also serves as a reminder that small changes in personal habits can lead to a ripple effect of positive outcomes, transforming urban spaces and improving collective well-being. WHO’s message is clear: supporting active mobility is not only about personal health but also about fostering a sustainable future where cities are designed for people, and everyone has access to safe, healthy ways to move.

Author: Jonathan De Vriendt

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.