PROJECT

The Active Travel Network Project aims to tackle transport problems caused by solo car use in small/medium sized cities by motivating walking/cycling (NMT). In view of the economic crisis and steadily increasing oil prices NMT is a sensible alternative to using cars for short trips in cities. Furthermore, the project contributes to reducing fossil energy and CO2. Professional awareness campaigns for decision makers, stakeholders and sitizens are to be worked out and put into practice in the porject period. Increasing NMT for short trips in cities should also lead to better health of people. The local economy especially shops in city centres can benefit from a higher frequency of pedestrians and people going by bike.

To ensure an effictive impact of network activities on local policies, each partner is obliged to set up an URBACT local Support Group (ULSG). These groups will involve the key stakeholders concerned and act as a steering committee for the action plan in the sexond phase of the project.

Both walking and cycling are means of transport which the majority of people can carry out. They are free of charge, non-polluting, space efficient and do not use any fossil fuels. The current situation regarding traffic in cities is characterised by traffic jams, noise and air pollution. Especially air pollution caused by particulate matter is a big problem in many cities since the EU limits are being exceeded very often. Our project wants to make a contribution for a change in transport habits. The planned activities are in direct relation to the "Action plan to improve Energy Efficiency in the EU"