To reduce carbon emissions and congestion, transport MEPs advocate for a modal shift to car-sharing, cycling and other collective and active mobility in cities.
Urban mobility is crucial to people’s quality of life and the functioning of economy, says the draft resolution on new EU urban mobility framework adopted by Transport and Tourism Committee on Tuesday by 35 votes in favour, none against and five abstentions. All modes of transport are important, but urban mobility has to be reinforced by a smart, inclusive, healthy, affordable and seamless transport solutions, adds the text.
Transport MEPs think that more efforts are needed to raise the public awareness of modal shift to collective and active mobility, such as, car-sharing, cycling or usage of electric scooters and call on the Commission to establish “EU car-free day”. New mobility solutions complement traditional public transport and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions, congestions, improvement of air and noise quality and connectivity, they stress and encourage to provide benefits for those who choose sustainable transport solution for commuting.
Improving road safety
MEPs on Transport and Tourism committee note that every year around 22 600 people still lose their lives on EU roads and 39 % of these fatalities occur in urban areas of which 2/3 are pedestrians, cyclists of motorcycle users. Concerned by these figures they call on the EU countries and the Commission to strengthen road safety by drawing-up basic requirements on urban road safety, limiting the speed in residential areas to 30 km/h, training future drivers on how to safely interact with vulnerable road users and improving walking and cycling infrastructure.
More digital solutions
The draft resolution highlights that an artificial intelligence and digitalisation can improve the efficiency of transport, shorten travel times and cost and relieve traffic congestion. MEPs urge the Commission and the EU countries to invest more in smart mobility, that could unlock single-ticketing of different transport modes. Transport MEPs also acknowledge that in coming years the autonomous vehicles will be available for commuters and have the potential to contribute to reduction of accidents and deaths. However, it has to be met with appropriate safety and liability safeguards, they add.
EP rapporteur Andrey Novakov (EPP, BG) said: “There is no doubt that people have different needs, so they deserve to have access to a variety of affordable, competitive, smart and sustainable transport solutions. No one shall be left behind, we shall aim to improve the connectivity between rural, peri-urban and urban areas, as well as the accessibility and efficiency of the system for people with special needs. Everyone should be given the possibility to choose his transport mode, but also under certain conditions for observing the road safety.”
“The safety is not just a task, but also a right. So everyone should contribute to make the system safe for all. Different modes have their role to play and we, as politicians, should provide the right and healthy environment for their proper coexistence. I do not support restrictions or bans on certain transport modes, but rather different measures to ensure their efficiency, such as AI and digital solutions, recommendations on urban road safety, harmonised technical standards for micro-mobility and educational campaigns.”
The draft resolution on new EU urban mobility framework now needs to be voted by the full house of the Parliament in one of the up-coming plenary sessions.
