Unlocking the benefits of active mobility

Active mobility such as walking and cycling, offers low-carbon, low-cost transport options with health and societal benefits. However, better integration into urban mobility policies is needed to encourage their use in urban areas.

Many cities overlook these modes in car-centric planning. However the EU’s Urban Mobility Framework and TEN-T regulation require 430 large cities to create Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and promote active mobility. This will help address urban challenges like:

• Air pollution
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Public health

Local authorities' role in active mobility

Local authorities must recognise active transport as essential, develop strategies, and integrate it into broader transport, environmental, and development policies. They can foster increased use through participatory planning, safe infrastructure, and linking active modes with public transport for multimodal journeys.

Engaging citizens, offering training, and supporting behavior change, particularly for marginalized groups, is key. Many resources are available for cities to implement these measures, with EU Member States mandated to support sustainable transport and SUMP development.