Bologna wins the European Mobility Week Award 2024
In 2024, Bologna made a bold move toward sustainable mobility — and the results speak for themselves:
- 11,000 fewer cars on the road every day
- A 10% increase in cycling
- A 69% surge in bike sharing
- A 44% rise in car sharing
- 70% of city streets converted into 30 km/h zones
These achievements earned Bologna the European Mobility Week Award, granted by the European Commission – a political and technical recognition that puts the city in the spotlight as a leading example of urban planning and ecological transition.
The jury selected Bologna for its ability to make sustainable mobility both tangible and accessible, actively involving the local community. During the European Mobility Week, held annually from 16 to 22 September, the city organized car-free days, educational activities, and public events to engage citizens on the themes of sustainable transport and public space transformation.
This participatory approach involved numerous local actors, associations, businesses, and civic groups, helping to build a strong sense of community and shared commitment to new, more sustainable forms of mobility.
One of the most appreciated initiatives by the European Commission was the Bologna 30 project, which permanently reduced speed limits to 30 km/h on around 70% of the city’s roads, positioning Bologna as a European model of urban innovation.
Bologna’s experience is already becoming a benchmark for other Italian cities looking to reshape their mobility systems with an eye toward sustainability and safety. Milan, Turin, Parma, Genoa, and Brescia, to name a few, have either implemented or are planning to adopt 30 km/h zones, following in the footsteps of the Bolognese model.
