European mobility faces inclusivity challenges, EIT Urban Mobility report reveals

Source: Zag Daily

The newly released “Better Mobility” report by EIT Urban Mobility highlights concerns about Europe’s current mobility systems in addressing the needs of diverse populations.

Developed in collaboration with Point& and Impact Hub Vienna, it underscores the necessity of inclusive transport solutions and outlines key actions to enhance accessibility across the continent.

European mobility challenges

According to the report, Europe’s transportation systems predominantly cater to a narrow demographic of middle-aged men working conventional nine-to-five jobs, without care giving responsibilities or physical impairments. As a result, vast segments of the population, including caregivers, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly, remain underserved.

EIT Urban Mobility Startup Programmes Lead, Celeste Reglá Díaz, emphasized this issue, stating, “Europe’s current mobility system excludes huge parts of the population. Mobility needs are far more complex than the current system accommodates.”

The report presents concerning statistics: over 100 million EU citizens have care giving duties, yet few mobility services cater to their needs. Similarly, more than 100 million people in the EU live with disabilities, yet most mobility services are not barrier-free. Additionally, while the EU’s population of individuals aged 65 and over exceeds 90 million, only 10% of them utilize digital mobility services.

Beyond social equity, inclusive mobility presents substantial economic and environmental benefits. The report estimates that improved accessibility could lead to a 70% reduction in traffic-related injuries and fatalities across EU cities, potentially saving €11,000 per capita between 2022 and 2050. Furthermore, it projects a €4,000 per capita reduction in costs related to greenhouse gas emissions and a CO2 emission reduction of up to 96% between 2022 and 2025.

Recommendations for achieving inclusive mobility

The ‘Better Mobility’ report identifies five key actions to foster a more inclusive transport system:

• A Holistic Mobility System: The report advocates for an integrated transportation ecosystem prioritizing accessibility, multimodal hubs, and barrier-free public transport. It calls for a unified system that offers streamlined ticketing, single-point departure access, and improved working conditions for mobility staff. Additionally, involving users in transport planning is deemed crucial to ensuring inclusivity.
• Liveable Cities with Enhanced Public Spaces: Cities are encouraged to redesign urban environments to prioritize pedestrians, green spaces, and proximity-based accessibility. The report cites Paris as a model for community-driven urbanism, with its pledge to create 100 hectares of new green areas.
• Prioritizing Health in Urban Planning: As climate change continues to impact global health, the report urges cities to enhance green spaces and implement traffic-calming measures to reduce pollution and stress. Given that one in four EU citizens will be over 64 by 2030, ensuring accessible infrastructure for this demographic is essential.
• Commitment to Inclusive Design: Mobility solutions should be flexible, smart, and sensory-inclusive to cater to diverse user needs. The report highlights Lisbon’s efforts in redesigning traditional mosaic pavements to improve accessibility while preserving aesthetic integrity.
• Safety and Security as Core Principles: The report stresses the importance of fostering safe transport environments beyond reducing accidents. Clear communication, reliable transport systems, and infrastructure designs that enhance users’ sense of security are deemed necessary for widespread adoption of public transport.

The role of stakeholders in driving change

EIT Urban Mobility directs its findings toward key stakeholders, including mobility startups, urban planners, and policymakers. The report emphasizes the importance of collaboration, with cities leveraging regulatory power and funding, while startups contribute innovation and user-centric designs.

“Cities have regulatory power. They have the funding to enforce accessibility standards, and the resources to implement inclusive policies and infrastructure,” Reglá Díaz noted. Over the past four years, EIT Urban Mobility has supported more than 315 pilot projects across Europe, enabling cities to implement best practices for inclusive mobility solutions.

Additionally, the Better Mobility Accelerator program supports startups in developing transport solutions tailored to underserved populations. The report also identifies tourism and healthcare as key sectors with untapped potential for mobility innovation, noting that only 5% of mobility advancements focus on tourism and 10% on health, despite growing demand.

Reglá Díaz called for increased investor support and more city-driven policies to scale inclusive mobility innovations. “It shouldn’t be a tick-box exercise – inclusivity impacts everyone and can make huge changes socially, environmentally and economically,” she emphasized.

As Europe grapples with the evolving challenges of sustainable transport, the ‘Better Mobility’ report provides a comprehensive roadmap for fostering inclusivity in mobility systems. By implementing the proposed strategies, policymakers, startups, and urban planners have the potential to create transport networks that serve all citizens equitably.