European Mobility Week 2026 is showcasing how towns and cities are experimenting with new approaches to make sustainable transport more accessible, inclusive and useful for people of all ages.
European cities put inclusive mobility innovation in the spotlight
What does sustainable mobility look like when cities design transport systems around the needs of people rather than simply the movement of vehicles?
That question is at the heart of European Mobility Week 2026, which is bringing together more than 2,500 towns and cities across Europe and beyond from 16-22 September.
This year’s campaign focuses on ‘Mobility for Everyone’, with a particular emphasis on intergenerational fairness — recognising that people’s mobility needs change throughout their lives.
The campaign is highlighting a range of initiatives that demonstrate how cities are experimenting with practical ways to make walking, cycling and public transport more accessible.
In Aveiro, Portugal, for example, the city’s Car-Free Day will see its main avenue closed to traffic, creating space for a children’s and family cycling event. The city is also launching a senior mobility charter aimed at making transport safer and more inclusive for older residents.
Differdange in Luxembourg is taking a similarly hands-on approach. Its Car-Free Day programme includes BMX demonstrations, family activities and a public forum bringing residents of different generations together to discuss what fairer mobility should look like. The city is also introducing permanent measures including bicycle ramps on staircases and expanded 30 km/h zones.
In Kassel, Germany, innovation is being applied to the experience of navigating streets. A multigenerational walk will bring local residents and care home residents together to identify safer street crossings, while older people will be able to test walking aids and mobility equipment as part of a hands-on session.
Another example comes from the Netherlands, where Virtual OV is using virtual reality to help neurodivergent people, older adults and other underserved groups become more confident using public transport.
The VR experience allows users to practise parts of a journey in a controlled environment — from buying tickets to navigating station infrastructure — potentially reducing some of the anxiety associated with unfamiliar public transport journeys.
These initiatives illustrate an important aspect of mobility innovation: it isn’t necessarily about introducing a new vehicle or piece of technology.
Sometimes innovation is about redesigning the experience around the person using the system.
That can mean creating safer streets, giving people more space to walk and cycle, using technology to overcome barriers to public transport, or bringing different generations into the conversation about how their communities should work.
The European Mobility Week campaign will culminate in Car-Free Day on 22 September, when participating towns and cities will open streets to people rather than cars.
Alongside the week’s events, the campaign is also encouraging organisations, businesses, schools and community groups to develop longer-term MOBILITYACTIONS promoting sustainable transport and mobility management.
For cities facing the combined challenges of emissions, congestion, accessibility and changing demographics, the message is increasingly clear: sustainable mobility isn’t simply about finding cleaner ways to move people.
It is about rethinking who streets and transport systems are designed for — and using innovation to make sure nobody is left behind.
For more information on the campaign, visit
