Close
ECF          EMEL          CM-Lisboa
#VC21   #CycleDiversity   #Velocity2021
PRESS    

Less cars, more bikes

Blog Less cars, more bikes
Cycling has been increasing exponentially in the so-called city of seven hills. On the roadmap to achieving carbon neutrality, the Portuguese Minister of Environment and Climate Action believes that one-third of terrestrial mobility should be electric. 
The Portuguese city of Lisbon won the European Green Capital Award for 2020 due to its efforts of creating a more sustainable city. To alleviate congestion, Lisbon implemented many measures that prioritized public transportations and non-polluting alternatives such as bicycles and scooters.

In 2018, Lisbon took a clear position in the fight against climate change, encouraging drivers to give up their diesel and gasoline cars or replace it with an electric vehicle. 

On the roadmap to achieving carbon neutrality, the Portuguese Minister of Environment and Climate Action believes that one-third of terrestrial mobility should be electric. However, the cornerstone of sustainable city mobility is public transports in combination with active mobility options such as cycling. 

There is still a long way to go to turn these goals into reality. For this reason, the Portuguese capital adopted three game-changing measures:
- the reinforcement of PowerDots (also known as street chargers for electric vehicles),  
- the introduction of the metropolitan pass (at a more affordable price, encouraging the population to choose public transportation instead of cars),
- the construction of cycling paths. 



Cycling has been increasing exponentially in the so-called city of seven hills. 1,410 bicycles are available to more than 32% of the population across the city.  2021 presents a key year to articulate and discuss various issues related to the benefits of cycling, as well as to strengthen ideas encouraging more and better bicycle use. 

Velo-city 2021 Lisboa will be an excellent opportunity to experience and celebrate Lisbon’s efforts in striving towards a healthier and more sustainable future. 

By Carolina Epifânio,
January 25th, 2021

Sources:
https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc21/comunicacao/documento?i=roteiro-para-a-neutralidade-carbonica-2050- 
https://lisboagreencapital2020.com/en/  
https://expresso.pt/sociedade/2020-12-19-Temos-de-pensar-as-cidades-para-a-mobilidade-e-nao-para-o-automovel