Overview
Privately owned motorised traffic is a major source of pollution. The goal of the project MOBILE was to change the current trend of increased automotive mobility or rather to decelerate this particular trend. An effective combination of organisational and awareness raising measures aimed at facilitating the evolution of self-enhancing mechanisms, which would signal and support adequate and environmentally conscious mobility behaviour. Six modules were developed which were aimed at producing a synergistic effect over a three year period - Modules 3 and 4 would have a significant impact on sustainability. The modules:
- Shopping by bicycle and functional work of art,
- Space for cyclists,
- Children mobility in Linz,
- Bicycle training,
- Environmentally sound mobility through CarSharing,
- Environmentally sound around by information
The goal of MOBILE was to change the current trend of increased automotive mobility, thereby counteracting the environmental burden being caused by this trend. An effective combination of organisational and consciousness raising/motivating measure would allow for self enhancing mechanism to evolve, which would bring about an improvement in quality of life and the environment in various areas. It was the objective to include as many people as possible in all campaigns and trials. Another priority objective of the project was to promote cycle traffic.
Funding
Results
The 6 modules were implemented within the framework of MOBILE:
Module 1: Shopping by bike MOBILE organised a special bicycle campaign at three supermarkets in Linz where citizens could borrow special shopping bicycles and cycle trailers free of charge for two weeks. In 1999, car parking spaces were converted to cycle parking facilities in the city centre of Linz. The College of Arts and Industial Design organised a competition for the design and planning of these cycle stands. In 1999 a constant borrow-service for bicycles and transport-trailers opened at the townhall of Linz The outcome in terms of saving energy: between 1998 and 2000 using bicycles instead of cars to do shopping saved 2634 l of fuel.
Module 2: Space for cyclists In a survey of the citizens of Linz the cycle concept was evaluated and adapted to meet the users' needs. Suggestions, adaptations and comments on potential dangers were included in a catalogue of priorities.
Module 3: From the traffic-oriented child to children-oriented traffic. The topic of mobility was tackled in a Linz school over a one-year period. The children interviewed citizens on the quality of life in their districts, organised street painting actions and developed city maps for children to help them to find their way in their districts. In 1997, the main results and a special video of the project were presented to the people of Linz during a symposium.
Module 4: Cycle training In a special seminar the Linz schools were introduced to a new cycle training concept which focuses on cycle training in real traffic situations instead of in safe areas. The results are very promising: since 1998 primary school children have practised cycling in real traffic situations which makes us hope that the project will have long-term impacts on the future mobility behaviour of the new generation.
Module 5: Environmentally sound mobility through car-sharing In a test campaign 4 car-sharing parking facilities with 5 cars were installed. 69 members used these car-sharing stands. At the same time parking facilities were converted to green areas. 5715 m2 green area could be recovered.
Module 6: Environmentally sound mobility through information In an individualised marketing campaign 8000 households in Linz were informed about the public system and provided with costum-tailored information. The aim of this campaign was to prompt people to change to public means of transport rather than use their own cars. This module had very promising results: the citizens who were contacted in the information campaign made 17 additional trips per year with public transport means. This is an average increasing of 10%.