The European Mobility Week seeks to promote clean, alternative, and sustainable urban transport with the main aim being to encourage a shift in the way people commute whilst also promoting healthier options such as walking and cycling.

The proposed actions as part of this campaign, should not be limited to the timeframe of the European Mobility Week that is, between 16th September and today. The EU Commission has extended the campaign through the MOBILITYACTION label, to further encourage the implementation of sustainable mobility promotional actions throughout the entire year. 

The campaign gives localities the chance to explore the role of their respective streets and to look at, andpossibly implement practical solutions to tackle issues related to urban challenges, such as traffic congestion, air pollution, lack of accessibility and lack of street liveability in urban village cores. The campaign also enables localities to focus on the increase of pedestrianised zones in urban village cores as well as the introduction and promotion of cycle lanes in the respective town/village.

Local Councils and NGOs are strongly encouraged to use this programme to also pilot innovative sustainable and alternative mobility measures and, to gather feedback from residents on same.

Furthermore, the European Mobility Week is also an excellent opportunity for local stakeholders to work together and discuss the different aspects of sustainable mobility and air quality, find solutions to reduce car-use, parking problems and, by default transport emissions. Possibly, one can also, in the process, test new technologies and planning measures.

The theme of this year; Let’s work together to improve Shared Public Space! included various initiatives under 4 main pillars.  

1. Experiencing public space in a different way: allowing for all to use safely and enjoy, allowing for personal mobility as well as social interaction.
   
2. Redeveloping urban space together: ensuring the involvement of the local community taking into consideration different users and transport modes.
   
3. School streets: creating safe school streets support a generational transition towards safer active mobility.
   
4. Planning and designing safer streets: Mobility management plans and urban planners should seek how to balance road space allocation, and to protect vulnerable road users. 

To assist Local Councils and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to be part of this EU-wide campaign, Transport Malta in conjunction with the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, launches two annual packages namely the Package for Permanent Sustainable Mobility Measures, and the Package forEuropean Mobility Week Small Events and Activities, which are open till 15th October 2024, as well as an Open call for Partnerships with Schools.

These packages cater for the initiatives under pillars identified above, among others, and organisations are encouraged to reach out to the Authority as well as consult the website futuremobility.gov.mt for further information throughout the year.