Sustainable Mobility Practices

Achieving the goals of sustainable mobility measures requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving a range of stakeholders, including governments, local communities, businesses and civil society organisations, while also associations of municipalities are one of the primary promoters of change. Key actions to effectively transform the planned SUMP activities into reality, the implementation process should include:

Development and appropriate legislation of long-term policies that support sustainable transport in local communities and enable local and regional administrations for a proactive engagement in sustainable mobility planning. Investments in transport infrastructure to support sustainable mobility, including the development of high-quality public transport systems, the construction of safe cycling and walking paths, and the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles. Raising awareness of the benefits of sustainable mobility for driving behavioural change. Strong partnerships between different sectors, including government agencies, private companies, non-profit organizations and general public stakeholders. Continuous monitoring and evaluation which includes collecting data on transport trends, assessing the impact of implemented policies and making adjustments as needed to improve outcomes.
Below are some good examples of sustainable mobility actions that can be replicated by different local communities or regional organizations to promote sustainable mobility in local communities.

Description:
The Tirana Cycling Academy is the first permanent cycling school in Albania that aims to teach children essential cycling skills and road safety. The cycling academy operates within the Tirana Grand Park, offering free lessons and opportunities for cycling in their free time. The academy offers theoretical and practical lessons to children, focusing on safe cycling, traffic rules, bicycle maintenance and road awareness. The program targets children from 3rd and 4th grades, with the aim of fostering a generation of safe cyclists who can safely navigate the city. The academy also conducts training sessions for high schools and summer camps, and it remains open to the public for additional classes. Following the successful implementation of the first cycling academy, another one was launched in July 2024, further promoting sustainable modes of transportation for a better future.

Rrugët e Shkollës
Description: Tiranë, Shqipëri
Residents of the Municipality: approximately 800,000 inhabitants
Organizatat: Qendra Marredhenie , Bashkia Tiranë, mbështetur nga GIZ Albania.

Description:
The Tirana project, focused on sustainable mobility and pedestrian safety, introduces key measures such as the creation of school routes and the improvement of pedestrian infrastructure. The initiative aims to increase walking and prioritize children’s safety, with notable success at Edith Durham School. Following the improvements, perceptions of safety increased from 44.3% to 69.8%, and vehicle speeds dropped significantly. The successful implementation of school routes was followed by the addition of 10 other school routes in Tirana.

More information: Ky qytet shqiptar duhet të frymëzojë Amerikën që të rritet në ‘rrugët e shkollave’ — Streetsblog USA

Sportelet e biçikletave
Location: Tiranë, Shqipëri
Residents of the Municipality: approximately 800,000 inhabitants
Organizations: Qendra Marredhenie , Bashkia Tiranë, mbështetur nga GIZ Albania.

Description:
A comprehensive counting network has been developed, with four counters installed and four additional counters under procurement. The data generated is being actively used to inform and drive infrastructure improvements. For example, the data has contributed to the redesign of the protected bicycle lane on “Bulevardin Deshmoret e Kombit”, increasing safety and accessibility for cyclists. These improvements are part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable transport and better urban mobility in Tirana. The data also helps identify key areas for further development and optimization in the city’s infrastructure.

Description:
A good example of a safely designed pedestrian crossing is the implementation of ‘bulbs’ – pavement extensions in front of pedestrian crossings. This measure shortens the distance for pedestrians, improves visibility on the road and reduces vehicle speed, thus increasing the safety of all road users. By moving parked vehicles away from the intersection, the driver’s line of sight is improved. The space gained can be used for planting greenery or installing street furniture (such as benches or bike racks). This measure serves as an effective traffic calming method, with a short-term effect due to ‘congestion’ and a long-term impact by encouraging alternative uses of parking spaces.

Description:

In the center of the settlement of Mirna, new signs have been installed on the road and pedestrian zones. These signs allow pedestrians to cross the road at the safest point at their discretion, instead of being limited to the designated (painted) crossings, which were previously dangerous in this area. In places where there is not enough space for a sidewalk separated from the road, white circles now mark areas primarily intended for pedestrians, where parking is also prohibited. At the intersection near the bridge and near the municipality, pedestrians can cross the road in a dotted area that clearly warns drivers that they are in a special area where pedestrians have priority. Alongside the measure, a detour for cars crossing the city center was implemented.

More information

: https://mirna.si/post/535766 (nuk është në dispozicion në anglisht)

Description:

“Walking Fridays”, as they are called in Črna na Koroškem, are days when a cheerful, lively group of schoolchildren and their chaperones walk or ride scooters together to school. The “Walkbus” operates regularly on Fridays, and occasionally on Thursdays, a “Biketrain” takes students to the Črna Na Koroškem primary school. The implementation of the Walkbus significantly contributes to strengthening healthy travel habits and facilitating the area around the school.

More info: https://ipop.si/2020/09/10/pesbus-in-bicivlak-v-crni-na-koroskem/

About children walking to school: Children love active travel to school – Institute for Spatial Policies (ipop.si)

Description:

School routes and safe routes to school are a measure aimed at improving the safety and comfort of school routes. During its implementation, motor traffic is limited to roads in the vicinity of schools during the morning and, if necessary, afternoon peak hours. The results of the temporary agreement can serve as a basis for permanent changes to the traffic regime. The municipality of Tolmin attempted to introduce a permanent school route measure, which was tested in an area with narrow streets typical of the old part of the majority settlement of Na Soči, between the main road and the primary school. The temporary agreement was eventually made permanent.

More information:

https://www.tolmin.si/objava/669444

Active Travel to School and Healthy City – Institute for Spatial Policies (ipop.si)

 

Description:

“eKOLOka” is a bike sharing system operating within the Gorenjska.bike network in Škofja Loka. The aim of the system is to provide users with an affordable alternative to car use, with rental and return stations located in more frequented areas. The key to the effectiveness of this measure is the strategic placement of stations and good connection to public transport. Bike sharing systems have already been established in many Slovenian municipalities, with examples including BicikeLJ in Ljubljana, KolesCE in Celje, GO2GO in Nova Gorica and others. In general, such public systems are becoming increasingly available in the SEE areas.

More information:

https://www.skofjaloka.si/objava/640861

https://www.ra-sora.si/sistem-izposoje-koles-ekoloka/

Description:

In the municipality of Medvode, you can ride electric bicycles through the »MEDVODeK« system. E-Bikes are an important asset in promoting sustainable mobility, and the introduction of this bike-sharing system offers a new way to cover shorter distances within the city center and between settlements. This is the first system compatible with Ljubljana, providing an alternative to cars for daily work trips – one of the main contributors to excessive motor traffic in the region. The system is also a valuable addition to the development of tourism, offering a pleasant experience for both local visitors and those visiting the capital. The development of an e-bike network throughout the Ljubljana urban region is already a strong commitment by most municipalities.

More information:

https://www.medvode.si/post/912419

Description:

In Velenje, Nova Gorica and Murska Sobota, free local bus transport is available. In Velenje, the free public transport system called »Lokalc« operates along one main road, one secondary road and three occasional roads. The system was introduced to reduce traffic congestion, the need for parking spaces and to improve access to certain parts of the city, especially for the elderly who do not have their own means of transport. For such a measure to be successful, it is important to have a frequent service and a reliable schedule, for example, buses coming every 15, 20, or 30 minutes, making it easier for passengers to remember the arrival time.

More information: We provide the urban passenger transport service “Lokalc” | velenje.si

 

Description:

In 2018, Kočevje became the 5th unit of the »Sopotnik« service in Slovenia, which provides free transport for the elderly in rural areas. The Sopotniki service allows individuals over the age of 65 to attend cultural events, visit friends, go to the doctor, shop and more. This transport helps senior citizens remain an active part of social life in their local community, extending their independence and ability to live at home, while also reducing the costs of institutional care. The project is partly co-financed by EU funds.

More information: https://urbact.eu/articles/mesta-mestom-sopotnistvo-v-kocevju

Description:

Slovenska Cesta in Mengeš serves as a central connection through the city center. With the construction of a bypass, most of the transit traffic has now been shifted to the northern and eastern outskirts of the city. The road profile was redesigned to increase traffic safety and improve the quality of life in the city. The introduction of a raised road at the sidewalk level, with the absence of a curb as a height barrier, allows easier passage at intersections for mobility-impaired pedestrians, mothers with strollers, and cyclists. More space was allocated for pedestrians and cyclists, motor vehicle speeds were limited to 30 km/h, and the road and park areas were improved with new urban amenities.