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Minister Ross welcomes the start of European Mobility Week

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D., today welcomed the start of European Mobility Week an annual, European-wide celebration of sustainable mobility.

 

Minister Ross stated: “I am delighted that this year’s European Mobility Week focusses on active travel and the promotion of walking and cycling as a means of transport. Incorporating active travel into our daily lives has huge benefits in terms of our personal health, our wider environment and tackling congestion in urban areas. This Government is committed toward improving active travel infrastructure through the increased funding now available to support better cycle tracks and lanes, new greenways and improved public spaces in cities, towns and villages across the country. This year’s call to action is “walk with us” and I’d encourage everyone to try and make walking part of their daily routine during the week.”

 

European Mobility Week, the annual campaign for mobility and transport, takes place from 16th to 22nd of September this year. Each year European Mobility Week  focuses on a particular theme and this year’s theme is ‘Safe Walking and Cycling’ with the call to action ‘Walk with us’.

 

Local authorities across Ireland are organising events during the week with details available on http://mobilityweek.eu/ with a number of cities and towns organising car-free events.

 

Notes for Editors

Under Project Ireland 2040 and the recently published Climate Action Plan 2019 set out Government’s commitment to expanding sustainable mobility options through the provision of improved and expanded public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure across the country.

 

Since 2002 European Mobility Week has sought to improve public health and quality of life through promoting clean mobility and sustainable urban transport.

 

This year around 48 countries and over 2,500 cities and towns have registered for European Mobility Week and are organising activities to promote more sustainable mobility through cycling and walking.   

 

During the week, towns and cities can showcase the benefits of cleaner transport choices and make progress towards better mobility in Europe. Local Authorities can use the week to test new transport measures and get feedback from the public. It is also an excellent opportunity for local stakeholders to get together and discuss the different aspects of mobility and air quality, find innovative solutions to reduce car-use and transport emissions, and test new technologies and planning measures.

 

Find out more at www.mobilityweek.eu