mobile2020 – Promoting Cycling in Central and Eastern Europe

The goal of mobile2020 is to promote cycling as a mode of transport in Central and Eastern European countries. To this end, people in eleven countries are being trained as 'disseminators'.

Research approach

The mobile2020 project sets out to promote the use of bicycles in small and medium-sized towns with a population of up to 350,000.  The aim is to reach up to 350 local authorities during the course of the project using a two-stage procedure. The project, funded as part of the 'Intelligent Energy Europe' programme, is headed by Baltic Environmental Forum Deutschland.

Training the disseminators

A first stage comprises educational seminars providing lectures, workshops, films and excursions over several days in order to train disseminators from eleven countries in cycling mobility. This also includes the development of tailor-made training materials, an appropriate collection of positive examples, and a regular transfer and exchange of knowledge. The transferability of the promotional strategies and knowledge base needs to be checked and adapted to local needs in the eleven partner countries, a step which takes place under the supervision of ISOE together with the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg and the two Dutch partners.

Setting up national working groups

In a second stage, the trained disseminators become active in their respective countries. National working groups on the subject of cycling as a mode of transport are founded to provide a platform for the training of 'planners'. An essential part of this process is the formation of new networks to serve as a cornerstone for exerting influence on planning and promotional strategies.

Background

The proportion of cyclists in most towns and cities of Central and Eastern Europe is very low and in many cases there is barely any infrastructure in place. However, there is also very little will to plan and draw up policies to promote the bicycle as an eco-friendly mode of transport in urban areas. It is important to boost the proportion of cyclists in future, not least in order to meet the EU energy-saving targets by the year 2020. Many Western European municipalities can already boast countless examples of how to increase cycling traffic.

Publications

Deffner, Jutta/Torben Ziel/Tomas Hefter/Christian Rudolph (Hg.) (2012): Handbook on Cycling inclusive Planning and Promotion. Capacity development material for the multiplier training within the mobile2020 project. Frankfurt/Hamburg

More information and transfer products

mobile2020.eu 

Project partners

  • Baltic Environmental Forum e.V. Deutschland (coordination)
  • Baltic Environmental Forum in Estland und Lettland
  • Atgaja, Kaunas (LT)
  • Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe in Polen, Tschechische Republik, Slowakei, Slowenien, Ungarn, Rumänien, Bulgarien, Kroatien sowie REC Headquarter
  • Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg, Verkehrsplanung und -logistik
  • IBC Transportvision, Utrecht (NL)
  • Gemeinde Zwolle (NL)

Funding

Intelligent Energy Europe Programme, EACI (IEE)

Duration

2011/05 – 2014/05