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!"

Yesterday I was interviewed by Doris Rittberger from Wild Urb about my passion for walking... 

They are producing a sequence of interviews with Viennese residents, who are discovering their city by foot.  

Also like them on Facebook for getting great input/updates about "Walking in Vienna"! 

Feel free to check out my contribution on Youtube with a click on the picture.  :-)  

The location for the interview was at the "Wien Fluss" in Hietzing. Down by the river this trail is an amazing recreational area in the middle of Viennas 13th and 14th district. The trail meanders along the "Wien River" for about 7 kilometres and is a paradise for walkers and cyclists. 

Obviously there is a lot happening in Vienna regarding pedestrianism. After the year of the bicycle in 2013, Vienna is now concentrating on walking. With "Walk21" the worlds biggest conference about walking, is coming to the city in 2015. 

Vienna on Foot  points out the advantages of walking instead of using other transport. It addresses the problems associated with New Urbanism and attempts to reduce the role of the automobile through creating a neighborhood utilizing as much Pedestrianism as possible.

On the website they gather on the one side all sorts of walking events happening, but also provide information about pedestrianism, safety and accessability of the city. 


Check out www.wienzufuss.at to find more information about the Walking City.