MOBILITY FOR ALL

This year, the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality, Odunpazarı Municipality, and Tepebaşı Municipality will launch a significant awareness campaign under the theme "Mobility for All" as part of European Mobility Week, which will be celebrated from September 16-22. Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) will also kick off this year's events in Eskişehir, making the city the center of this meaningful campaign.

European Mobility Week, one of the most important awareness campaigns carried out by the European Commission to draw attention to sustainable urban mobility, invites everyone to rethink every journey and ensure equality in transport with the theme 2025.

Accessible and Sustainable Transportation

As part of the events, Eskişehir will focus on social equality, road safety, reducing noise and air pollution, and improving the quality of urban life. The theme, "Mobility for All," will emphasize that everyone, regardless of age, gender, income level, physical ability, or location, should have the right to safe, affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly transportation.

Experts point out that, as in many parts of the world, many people in Türkiye struggle to get to their jobs, schools, and basic services due to high transportation costs or inadequate transportation infrastructure. This situation is known as "transport poverty," and European Mobility Week is crucial for highlighting this problem.

Impressive Events

Activities hosted by the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality throughout the week will include bicycle tours, walking events, promotions of accessible transportation, awareness workshops, and various public information activities. Additionally, during a "car-free day," motorized traffic will be limited in certain areas, prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists.

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality invited all citizens to actively participate this week to promote sustainable transportation systems and ensure equal opportunities in transportation.

The 4 basic principles of European Mobility Week:

Universality in design: To ensure equal access to transportation services for all citizens, stops and vehicles should be barrier-free, and digital applications should be accessible to everyone.

Diversity and reliability of options: Integrated and diverse transportation models should be adopted instead of uniform transportation systems. Safety of bicycle and pedestrian paths is also a key component of this approach.

Community-based participation: Citizens and civil society should be involved in transportation decisions; an inclusive management approach should be at the forefront.

Geographic collaboration: Transportation should be facilitated not only in city centers but also between districts and nearby areas.

Activities to be held for European Mobility Week:

"Opening Ceremony"

The European Mobility Week opening ceremony will be held at the Nation Monument on Tuesday, September 16 at 09.30.

"Back on the Bike"

On Wednesday, September 17th at 10:00 am, cycling reminder training will be held at Velespit Park, which was brought to our city this year by Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality.

"Getting Started with Cycling Workshop"

On the same day, Tepebaşı Municipality will organize a "Getting Started with Cycling Workshop" workshop at the Vecihi Hürkuş Aviation and Technology Park between 10:00 and 17:00.

"Mobility for Everyone"

On Wednesday, September 17th at 10:00 am, children receiving education at municipal daycare centers affiliated with the Odunpazarı Municipality will meet nature in the City Forest with the theme of "Mobility for Everyone."

"Workshop Day"

A workshop will be held in partnership with the Metropolitan Municipality and Tepebaşı Municipality on Thursday, September 18th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The workshop, which will be held at the Vecihi Hürkuş Aviation and Technology Park, will focus on urban mobility and sustainable electrification. Mayor Ünlüce will deliver the opening remarks at the panel titled "City Transformation, e-mobility, and the Future," hosted by Fark Labs Founder Ahu Serter.

"School Day"

On Friday, September 19th, at 10:30, children will receive cycling training at the Active Life Park.

 "Active Day"

A sustainable mobility orienteering session will be held at the Haller Youth Center on Saturday, September 20th at 4:00 PM. The activity will begin at the Haller Youth Center and extend throughout the city. Participants will complete the activity on foot, by public transportation, and by bicycle.

Bicycle Parade
On Sunday, September 21 at 14:00, a bicycle parade will be held starting from Odunpazarı Square. The parade will follow the designated route and arrive at Velespit Park at 15:00. Supported by many NGOs in Eskişehir, the parade will see citizens pedaling together to draw attention to active living.

"Green Match"

On Sunday, September 21st, the Green Match event will be held at 4:00 PM at the entrance to Sazova Park. Various activities will be held in the sports area for the public. Following the activities, cyclists will attend the Eskişehirspor match.

"Car-free Streets"

21 Eylül Pazar günü Huzur Mahallesi Ali Rıza Efendi Bulvarı ve Uluönder Mahallesi Sivas Kongresi Bulvarı trafiğe kapatılacak. Trafiksiz bir gün yaşanacak.

"Arabasız Caddeler etkinliği iki gün sürecek"

On Sunday, September 21st, Ali Rıza Efendi Boulevard in the Huzur neighborhood and Sivas Congress Boulevard in the Uluönder neighborhood will be closed to traffic. This will be a traffic-free day.

"Discounts"

Furthermore, as part of the events, ESPEDAL and Tripy, the Tepebaşı Municipality's first-generation Remourban project, a shared bicycle system developed in line with the municipality's first-generation Remourban project and featuring smart and electric models for the first time in Türkiye since 2018, will be discounted throughout the week.

What is European Mobility Week?

European Mobility Week is a European Commission initiative celebrated annually from September 16-22 worldwide, encouraging cities and municipalities to implement and support sustainable transport measures.

The week aims to improve municipal transportation planning and public transport systems, increase bicycle and pedestrian paths, and encourage citizens to use alternative modes of transport instead of individual vehicles.

Celebrated for the first time in 2002, European Mobility Week has grown in impact both in Europe and globally. As part of the week, municipalities implement projects focusing on mobility management, accessibility, new or improved bicycle infrastructure, and organize a "Car-Free Day."