Active Cities

Next week, Active Cities partner Bergen kommune will attend the 2024 Velo-city conference in Ghent. Bergen will present during an insightful session titled "Bridging the gap: exploring cycling in cities divided by water", showcasing an example of the impressive Fyllingsdalen Tunnel, the longest cycling tunnel in the world. The Fyllingsdalen Tunnel project aligns with Bergen's vision of creating a low-car city center by encouraging more people to choose cycling and walking over driving. The session will take place on Friday 21st June from 10:00 - 10:45 in MASTEL (Yellow Room). 👋 Attending the conference? We strongly recommend stopping by for the presentation and saying hello to Geir Ekeland Bartz-Johannessen! 🔗 More information about the session: https://lnkd.in/dWF8RTfq 🔗 Learn more about the Fyllingsdalen Tunnel: https://lnkd.in/dZKh8Cye #VC24 #ActiveMobility #ActiveCities

Yesterday was United Nations #WorldBicycleDay 🚲 World Bicycle Day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle - a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation. Cycling also contributes to cleaner air and less congestion, while providing a range of personal health benefits. 🤝 Within the Active Cities project, we bring together 8 Municipalities, 3 Knowledge Partners and citizens to prioritise active mobility, such as cycling, in the North Sea Region. 💡 Our most recent insight shone a light on how 3 of our Active Cities are encouraging younger generations to give cycling a try by designing and providing access to safe spaces to build confidence on bikes. 🚴♀️ Through the introduction of different bicycle playgrounds, Lunds kommun, City of Aarhus and Ville de Lille are aiming to teach their local children about the benefits of cycling, while delivering important safety lessons to remember when cycling through their cities. 🔗 Read more at https://lnkd.in/dbPhj7Rq and let us know how you promote #cycling in your local area!

🚲 For children, #cycling brings many health benefits including increased fitness, concentration, and coordination, while providing a fun way to travel. It is also a great way for kids to navigate a city alongside their parents in a emission-free way. ⚠️ Dedicated spaces for children to practice cycling and build confidence are rare, especially in cities, while parents are often reluctant to let their young use bikes due to the risk of injury or nearby traffic. 📃 In this article, we hear from three Active Cities partners aiming to inspire future generations to recognise and adopt active mobility as a fun, healthy transport choice. Through the introduction of different bicycle playgrounds, Lunds kommun, City of Aarhus and Ville de Lille are aiming to teach their local children about the benefits of cycling, while delivering important safety lessons to remember when cycling through their cities. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dbPhj7Rq

🚶♂️🚌 The integration between walking and public transport "must be a key priority" for enhancing urban mobility and reducing reliance on private cars. Jim Walker, from Active Cities partner Walk21 Foundation, emphasizes, "Nearly everyone accesses public transport on foot. By investing in the experience of both walking and using public transport, we reduce private car use, its associated carbon emissions, and improve the fiscal viability of public transport services, all the while enhancing urban efficiency and livability." The City of Aarhus Active Mobility Hubs pilot illustrates these principles in action. The pilot focuses on creating multimodal hubs that facilitate easy transitions between different forms of transport, including walking, biking, and public transit, reducing the need for private vehicle use. By enhancing connectivity and convenience, the pilot aims to make sustainable modes of transport the most appealing choice for residents, thereby promoting a healthier and more active cities. 🌿🚴♀️ Read more about the Aarhus #ActiveCities pilot: https://lnkd.in/exu2YDWD #activemobility #publictransport #mobility #walking Active Cities is an Interreg North Sea Programme project, co-funded by the European Union - #PoweredbyInterreg #wearetheNorthSea #madewithinterreg #interregNorthSea

Throughout the Active Cities project, cities across the North Sea Region will carry out various pilot activities with the shared aim of shifting their urban zones from car-centric to human-focused areas. Active mobility encourages people to reduce their reliance on cars, adopting walking and cycling as a regular transport option. The Active Cities pilots are exploring different ways to boost active mobility in the region, and only with the help of locals can the activities truly put people back at the heart of urban planning. The key to running impactful and efficient pilots is ensuring citizens are actively involved in the process. We caught up with 3 of our Active Cities to check how the pilots are going so far and discuss the importance of involving citizens throughout the pilot activites. In the article we hear how: 🚸 Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg is addressing urban spatial challenges and promoting sustainable mobility in and around its schools. 🚲 City of Aarhus is implementing a new mobility hub concept to encourage commuters to choose active transport modes over cars. 🛣 Bergen kommune is involving local residents to boost numbers using the Fyllingsdalen Tunnel, a dedicated cycle and pedestrian tunnel servicing the city. Thanks to our cities for the invaluable insights! Stay tuned as we continue to document the development of the pilots and hear the other ways our Active Cities are involving local citizens. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dPAaKXtF

New episode by Active Cities! This time about behavioural science and what can be learned to help create cities amenable to an active life. #wearetheNorthSea #madewithinterreg #interregNorthSea

🎙️ New Episode Alert: A behavioural approach to transforming Urban Mobility with Natalia Le Gal On the latest episode of the Active Cities Podcast, we look at the intersection of behavioral science and urban mobility, with behavioral scientist Natalia Le Gal. 🚶♀️🚴♂️ In this episode, Natalia explains some of the fundamentals of #behaviourchange and some techniques that could have a transformative impact on our cities and get citizens choosing active methods of transport, rather than jumping in their cars. She also talks to us about the challenges of behaviour change and why we tend to go with what we are used to doing rather than trying something new -- even if we know it could be good for us and our cities! Whether you’re involved in urban planning, interested in sustainable living, or curious about the psychology behind behaviour change, this episode has something for you. Tune in to learn how we can all contribute to more vibrant, human-scale cities and more active cities. 🌍 🔗 Listen to the full episode on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dZ7yaRez #ActiveCities #UrbanMobility #BehavioralScience #SustainableCities #ActiveMobility Active Cities is an Interreg North Sea Programme project, co-funded by the European Union - #PoweredbyInterreg

Bergen’s Department of Environment is buzzing with activities to get residents out and moving about! As project partners with Active Cities, we’re excited to share two amazing initiatives to kick-start a more active lifestyle for everyone. 1️⃣ Bergen kommune and Corporate Sports Vestland Cycling Challenge - Encouraging residents to ride 100 km or more by May 3rd and enter to win some amazing prizes! 🏆 Participation is free and open to e-bikers as well. 2️⃣ Spring’s Major Activity Campaign (May 3 - June 16) - All activities count, from cycling to walking and even gym workouts! Open for everyone in Alver, Askøy, Bergen, Bjørnafjorden, and Øygarden. 🤸♂️ Joining these campaigns can be a great warm-up for the annual "Bike to Work" initiative. Residents can sign up individually or as a team, which could be particularly motivating. What Can Other Cities Learn? Bergen's initiatives demonstrate the power of community engagement and accessibility in fostering an active lifestyle. These programs not only promote physical health but also enhance social connections and environmental sustainability. Cities worldwide can look to Bergen as a model for integrating diverse and inclusive physical activities into urban life. For more information, contact Einar Johan Grieg at Bergen kommune or visit https://lnkd.in/e7J_9pJN Hear more about more about Bergen's involvement with Active Cities and the Fyllingsdal Cycle Tunnel on the Active Cities podcast: https://lnkd.in/eXub_dYh Active Cities is a Interreg North Sea Programme project, co-funded by the European Union #activecities #activemobility #interreg #cycling #walking

🏃♂️ Saturday 6th April marked World Day of Physical Activity. Physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds, and can reduce the risk of various non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. Despite this, 1 in 4 adults globally do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, and more than 80% of the world's adolescent population is insufficiently physically active. The Active Cities project is championing a world in which physical activity is ingrained into everyday life, promoted by governments, and seen as an inclusive year-round transport option. The World Health Organization has introduced policies to increase physical activity to ensure that: 🚶♂️ Walking, cycling and other forms of active non-motorised forms of transport are accessible and safe for all. 🚲 Labour and workplace policies encourage active commuting and opportunities for being physically active during the work day. 🏃♀️ Primary and secondary schools provide quality physical education that supports children to develop behaviour patterns that will keep them physically active throughout their lives. Through our continued promotion of #ActiveMobility, we hope to contribute to a healthy, physically active, carbon-neutral Europe by 2030. 🔗 Learn more about Active Cities at https://lnkd.in/dRUEDUqQ #WDPA2024 #ActiveCities

🚴♂️🇪🇺 Yesterday, EU institutions adopted the European Declaration on Cycling. To be signed by key EU figures, the European Declaration on Cycling is a move towards making cycling a pillar of sustainable transport. It promises safer cycling networks, better integration with public transport, and improved infrastructure for cyclists, reflecting a shared dedication to a greener, healthier, and more accessible Europe. Commissioner for Transport, Adina Valean, said: "We recognise cycling's myriad benefits: it reduces pollution, eases urban congestion, and promotes healthier lifestyles. Moreover, cycling is a cornerstone of the European industry, driving innovation and growth while creating high-quality local jobs. Embracing cycling aligns with the EU's industrial strategy and its objectives." 🌳🚲 Active Cities welcome this news from the European Commission and stands behind the adoption of the European Declaration on Cycling. #SustainableTransport #Cycling #EUInnovation #GreenEurope #HealthyLifestyle