Photo credit: European Union 2025 | Laura Jay Nethercott
The City of Bologna has been awarded the European Mobility Week Award 2024, recognising its outstanding efforts to promote sustainable urban mobility and reclaim public space for people. The award was announced on 27 March at a high-level ceremony hosted by the European Commission in Brussels.
Celebrating Europe’s sustainable mobility champions
Every year, European Mobility Week takes place in September to promote behavioural change in favour of active mobility, public transport and other clean transport solutions. The campaign highlights the most ambitious local initiatives encouraging behavioural change towards cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive transport. In 2024, over 2,700 towns and cities from 45 countries took part, alongside more than 900 registered mobility actions from organisations, schools, and citizen groups. Bologna was selected among three finalists, alongside Braga, Portugal and Leipzig, Germany. All three cities demonstrated inspiring approaches to sustainable mobility and community engagement.
“This year’s winners have excelled in designing vibrant, people-friendly public spaces which are not only green but also thriving hubs of community and connection. The finalists have demonstrated that popular tourist destinations can also serve local communities by promoting sustainable transport,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. “Congratulations to all!”
Bologna stands out
The inclusive, creative, and people-first approach to rethinking urban mobility set Bologna apart. Anna Lisa Boni, Deputy Mayor of the City of Bologna said at the ceremony, “Receiving this award and the support of the European Commission is incredibly meaningful to us! It reinforces our commitment to advancing sustainable urban mobility and continuing to implement impactful measures to give public space back to people.”
The city’s 2024 campaign focused on making sustainable transport options more tangible and relatable for residents of all ages, while actively involving local partners in both planning and implementation. Throughout the week, Bologna organised a wide range of initiatives to highlight its vision for a safer, healthier and more liveable city. At the heart of the campaign was Mobility Square, a vibrant public space in the city centre that welcomed over 2,000 visitors. There, citizens could interact with mobility providers, learn about public and shared transport services, and engage in hands-on educational activities, from road safety simulations for children to information stands on regional transport plans.
This year’s winners have excelled in designing vibrant, people-friendly public spaces...
The week also included:
- A Bike to School challenge involving more than 150 students;
- Pedibus and Bicibus activities led by educators and actors to promote walking and cycling to school;
- The International Parklet Symposium, bringing experts and residents together to discuss reclaiming urban space;
- Social rides and storytelling events that linked sustainable mobility with local culture and heritage.
Shifting mobility mindsets
Bologna’s approach was not just about events but it was about shifting mindsets. Through a public call, the city invited local associations, citizen groups, and businesses to co-create the programme. This helped foster a strong sense of community ownership over sustainable mobility, reinforcing the idea that cities thrive when people are at the centre of planning.
A standout feature of the campaign was Bologna 30, a bold and permanent policy that reduced speed limits to 30 km/h on 70% of the city’s roads. Introduced in early 2024, the measure is already showing results: fewer accidents, improved air quality, and more space for people to walk, cycle, and socialise. To make the benefits visible, the city also tested a ‘tactical pinch point’ on Via dell’Indipendenza—using urban design to calm traffic, add greenery, and create a shared space for pedestrians. The city is also heading the Eurocities task force on 30 km/h cities.
The week concluded with Car-Free Day, transforming Bologna’s historic and commercial core into a pedestrian paradise. Known as the ‘T Zone,’ this area is already closed to cars on weekends, but for European Mobility Week, the city extended the pedestrian zone even further—reclaiming its streets for people, not vehicles.
It reinforces our commitment to advancing sustainable urban mobility and continuing to implement impactful measures to give public space back to people.
Bologna’s ability to combine long-term policy change with creative, citizen-centred communication made its campaign a model for other European cities. By empowering its communities, the city not only raised awareness but also built momentum for deep, lasting change.
Be part of the change
Cities across Europe are leading the shift to cleaner, safer and more inclusive transport systems. European Mobility Week is your opportunity to join this movement, share your city’s initiatives, and engage citizens in reimagining how we move.
Find out how to take part in the next edition at www.mobilityweek.eu.
