Cycling as an element of urban climate mitigation policy (Cyclurban)

Urbanisation is increasing all over the world, with more and more people living in cities. So the urban mobility sector is playing a key role in helping avoid greenhouse gas emissions. At a local level, it is essential to come up with intelligent solutions for environmentally friendly mobility and transforming transport systems in large conurbations. Traffic emissions in cities need to be kept at a low level or even reduced. Quality of life, time efficiency and health should also improve at the same.

Car-centred transport concepts from the previous century need to be rethought and more effort made to promote cycling. Bicycles are more time-efficient, quiet, environmentally friendly and healthy than cars.

The project was operating in Tartu (Estonia), Riga (Latvia), Warsaw (Poland), Velika Gorica (Croatia) and Drama (Greece). In each city, the current cycling situation was first of all analysed and evaluated. Then the team looked, for example, at where more cycle paths might be built, how the issue might be integrated into future urban planning or how, say, to better promote the use of e-bikes and cargo bikes.

The results fed into the collaboration with the cities and municipalities. This process involved developing specific strategies to promote cycling as a form of urban mobility. The project also came up with recommendations on how to promote cycling at a national level. Seminars were held and strategy papers published with a view to reaching even more municipalities.