Car Free Commuting: something for everyone
During this European Mobility Week, in many European countries, lots of initiatives are deployed in order to show commuters that there are valid alternatives for the passenger car and convince them to use them more often. We randomly looked into a few of them.
Spain – Tragsa
One of the 126 different Spanish actions this year is an initiative by the Tragsa Group. This public company that is responsible for the restoration and conservation of Spanish natural resources, environment and rural development organizes a mobility challenge between different offices, among a list of other actions to promote sustainable mobility. This initiative has been held every year since 1999 to raise awareness of the negative consequences of the irrational use of cars in the city, both for public health and for the environment; as well as the benefits of using other more sustainable means of transport such as public transport, cycling or walking.
France – Ubiplex
In France, L’Ubiplex, the co-working space of online advertising company Ubiflow situated in Betton, near Rennes, organises an action to get the co-workers to come to the complex by other means than the car. They can test new modes of transport, and the company sees it as an opportunity for the co-workers to get closer to each other.
Sweden – Xtrafik Gävleborgs län
One of the Swedish initiatives is the “The car key is your ticket!”-action of the Gävleborg region public transport company Xtrafik. During World Carfree Day on September 22nd, everyone that can show their car key entering will travel for free until 6 PM on Xtrafic buses and trains.
Netherlands – Enexis Group
For the second time, Dutch energy network management company Enexis Group will organize a Car Free Tuesday on October 2nd. During the first event in June, more than 24 organizations participated, representing over 35.000 employees. The reduction of CO2-emissions of the last action was no less than 350.000 kilos.
Belgium – Stanley Black & Decker
The tool producer first participated in 2017 and decided to organise activities during the European Mobility Week once more. The campaign should help the company to reach its ECOSMART goal of carbon footprint reduction by 20% by 2020. In this year’s action, the aim is to have 4.500 employees participate in more than 10 countries and receive over 20 submissions for permanent measures. Activities include testing of electric vehicles, promotion of public transport, biking, running and walking to work, and taking trains or buses instead of the car to commute.
Spain – CCOO
The most important Spanish trade union, Comisiones Obreras, will organise an activity in all its headquarters on Friday, September 21st. On the occasion of the celebration of the Day Without Cars that will close traffic to cities on Saturday September 22nd, CCOO will install an information desk at the entrance of each of centre to raise awareness about sustainable transport to work, with a reward for all the people that come to work using a sustainable means of transport. Participants will also be asked to complete a questionnaire about mobility habits. All those who complete this survey will be entered into the draw to win prizes.
