Kick-off of the Utrecht Mobility Week during Maliebaan Festival

On Saturday 16 September, the Maliebaan in Utrecht, more specifically the stretch between the Malieblad and the Burgemeester Reigerstraat, was completely car-free from 10:00 to 17:00. Freeing up space for new opportunities: a free festival with an active programme dedicated to sustainable mobility. During the Maliebaan Festival, the alderman for mobility, energy and greenery in Utrecht, Lot van Hooijdonk, Deputy André van Schie (mobility & economy) and the bicycle mayor of Utrecht and former professional racing cyclist, Belle de Gast, opened the European Mobility Week in the province of Utrecht.

The Maliebaan festival, organised by the municipality of Utrecht, was all about sustainable mobility. The focus of the activities was on sustainable, safe and healthy means of travel. Included in the programme were sporting activities such as a BMX pump track, led by pro BMXer Sietse van Berkel, and a slow bike race. Various shared transport providers demonstrated their vehicles and visitors were able to take a seat in a VR driving simulator and experience the effects of texting while driving. Singer-songwriter Florian Wolff performed with The Green Machine, providing the musical backdrop for the event. Visitors enjoyed creating poems and stories about mobility and participated in an interactive work of art.

“You can see that the demand for shared transport in Utrecht is increasing. With this Mobility Week, even more residents can familiarise themselves with this and see the benefits for themselves. Shared transport also provides more space for green areas, cyclists and pedestrians and play areas, for example. And for people themselves, in many cases it results in less costs, less hassle and more freedom”, says alderman Lot van Hooijdonk.

European Mobility Week

During the European Mobility Week, held from 16 to 22 September, sustainable mobility will be put on the map throughout Europe. The province of Utrecht is organising the Utrecht Mobility Week for the third year in a row. During this week, residents, visitors and commuters will be challenged to travel ‘differently’. With various activities, challenges and discount campaigns on shared transport, Mobility Week Utrecht shows that every small step towards sustainable mobility counts.

Deputy André van Schie: “We all have our habits and preferences in the way we go to work, visit family or go to school. With Mobility Week, we try to entice people to make more sustainable and healthy choices. So let’s walk a bit more often, mix it up and take the bike or public transport. Of course, Mobility Week alone is not enough to change general behaviour. That is why the province is also working on better cycling and walking paths, cycle routes and public transport. With ‘Goedopweg’ (Well-on-the-way) we approach entrepreneurs and business parks to make it even more attractive to take the bike or public transport to work”.