The cool people from WILD URB came up with a wonderful idea to contribute to the European Mobility Week: A barefoot Walk along the Wien River from Hietzing to Hütteldorf was guided on September 17th. 

On a wonderful sunny evening a few keen (barefoot) walkers met at the Kennedy Brücke in Hietzing to put their feet into the refreshing water - but more so to walk a few kilometres together. Once again I realised how the simple act of walking is something that connects people. Below a few impressions :-) 

This years European Mobility Week has started! The annual campaign on sustainable urban mobility is organised with support of the European Commission. The aim of the campaign, which runs every year from 16 - 22 September, is to encourage local authorities to introduce and promote sustainable transport measures  to invite their citizens to try out alternatives to car use. 

 With almost 2000 European towns and cities expected to participate this is one of the biggest events across Europe culminating in the "In Town without my Car" event - which will take place on Viennas Ringstrasse - inviting people to have a relaxed pick-nick on the grass instead of the usual "hustle and bustle" of the busy Ringstrasse. 

Under the banner of "Our streets, our choice", this year's European Mobility Week aims to encourage citizens to 'reclaim' urban spaces to create the city they want to live in. Throughout the week, the relationship between land use and quality of life will be examined. Municipalities in Austria will give children the opportunity to reclaim the streets by allowing them to paint them the way they would like them to be. This initiative is organised through schools, with the best effort given a prize at the end.

Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, said: "Mobility Week reminds us that when it comes to personal mobility, we really do have a choice, and a good choice makes a tangible difference to our health and our quality of life. So let's make a stand for cleaner air, and for urban spaces that are built for people. Cities are for citizens – let's keep them that way!"