This year’s EMW theme is “Better Connections”, meanwhile the initiatives during the week will be under the name “Mix and Move”
The European Mobility Week starts on September 16. It is an initiative of the European Commission, dedicated to sustainable mobility, which aims to promote clean and shared means of transportation in cities, which act as an alternative to private cars, responsible for much of the air pollution in big communities.
This year’s theme is “Better Connections”. Its’ aim is to reflect the desire of people across Europe to reconnect with each other after a period of isolation and restrictions. Transportation plays an important role in connecting people and is a main theme of the European Green Deal, proposed by the European Commission.
In the first days of the new school year, when everything seems to be speeding up and we are increasingly connected, it is especially important to pay attention to safety. That's why this year's initiatives starts with the FM+ Radio campaign "Reduce speed, save a child", which is a partnership with Sofia Municipality.
Some of the main events will take place during the weekend of 17th and 18th September. On the 17th – the Day of Sofia – a concert will be held as part of the Sofia Summer Fest program. A special retro tram will travel to and from the venue of the concert (just behind the Earth and Man National Museum in Sofia). Its route will be the Palace of Justice – “Macedonia” square – The Five Caches – the National Palace of Culture – The National Trade and Banking Highschool – Ivan Vazov and back.
Meanwhile in the North Park the “София ърбан зона спорт 2022” (Sofia Urban Sport Zone 2022) event that is a part of the European Week of Sport will be held. In the Strelbishte district the “Квартален Park(ing) Day for Fitness” will take place.
The metro performance "Catch the different subway car" will once again surprise passengers on first and second line of the capital’s metro and will include dances, pantomime, DJ, parkour and many more.
Culinary lovers can enjoy an extraordinary Food and Spices Walking Tour along Tsar Simeon Street, which is going to be a real journey for the senses.
On Sunday, September 18th, it will again be an active day (and night) with “Нестле за Живей Активно! Град 2022”. Meanwhile the “София ърбан зона спорт 2022” (Sofia Urban Sport Zone 2022) continues in the North Park.
On September 19th, those who are interested can go to the The Metropolitan Transportation Open Day, where they can see an exhibition of vehicles. On September 20, the doors of the Zemlyane depot will be opened for public visits. Тhere visitors can find a simulator for training drivers and a traffic management center. Last year's initiative generated interest, this year we have secured more possible groups of visitors. Follow the page of "Urban Mobility Center" EAD on Facebook, for pre-registration.
September 21st is once again dedicated to road satefy and is dedicated to the "Drive Carefully and Be Safe on the Road for the Sake of Children! Look at How Much I Know, I Follow the Rules Myself!" initiative.
The European Mobility Week traditionally culminates on September 22 - Car Free Day, when cyclists take over the city in its designated and car-free perimeter. At 11 a.m. a ride under the title "Happy Biking - Healthy Living" will be launched, which is a partnership between the Danish Embassy, the winners of last year's INNOAIR hackathon Soffenhagen and Cyrcl. The deputy mayor of transportаtion, Mr. Krastev, and the deputy-head of the Mission of Denmark, Mrs. Birgit Sarah Kondrup-Palmquist, will greet the participants and kick off the event.
On "Gen. Y. Gurko" street, which will be closed to vehicles between "Vasil Levski" blvd. and "Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi" blvd., an exhibition of alternative means of transportation in the city will be held - e-scooters, bicycles for rent, electric city and mountain bikes and others. The latest electric buses, part of the "bus on demand" service and the application for using the service under the INNOAIR project will also be presented. Visitors to the demonstration initiative will have the opportunity to view the installation "You are Sofia, Sofia is green", which shows the progress of Sofia as a green city. On September 22nd, the first two cameras for counting cyclists in Sofia, made by the Technical Universities in Gabrovo and Sofia, also under the INNOAIR project, will be operational.
Mix and move in a clean and sustainable way in the city! Download and use the SofiaCoin mobile application, which provides great rewards to people who actively move around the city!