Mobility Week '12: Ljubljana moving in the right direction
From 16 to 22 September 2012 and for the eleventh year in a row, the City of Ljubljana is taking part in European Mobility Week.
This year, the central theme of the most widespread campaign for sustainable mobility is “Moving in the Right Direction” and its aim is to encourage European city administrations to introduce sustainable measures in the area of transport and to encourage citizens to reconsider and try transport alternatives to the car. Every year, European Mobility Week closes on 22 September with the Car Free Day when pedestrians, cyclists, public transport vehicles and other environmentally friendly means of transport have right of way on the roads. For the second year in a row, the Car Free Day in Ljubljana is being stretched to a Car Free Week. This means that the section of Slovenska Road between Šubičeva Street and Gosposvetska Road will again be closed for motor traffic during European Mobility Week from 16 to 22 September. The only traffic allowed in this section will include Ljubljana public transport buses, cyclists, delivery and emergency vehicles and vehicles with City of Ljubljana permits. Policemen and city wardens will direct traffic between 7:00 and 18:00 every day. During each European Mobility Week the City of Ljubljana launches new sustainable mobility measures. This year, two sustainable measures will be introduced: the Mobile Ljubljana brochure published under the CIVITAS ELAN project and a new service on Ljubljana city buses – transport on call for people with disabilities. It involves an information exchange between the user (person with disability) and Ljubljana's public transport provider LPT. The passenger calls the LPT transport control centre on 0158 22 425 or 051 44 99 92 and makes a request for transportation with the city bus on a specific date at a specific time. He is given instant feedback about the available transport options followed by confirmation of the agreed transportation. The LPT transport control centre then passes the information on to the bus driver. This allows the driver to expect a passenger who needs assistance and to act appropriately; consequently the passenger will travel more safely. CIVITAS ELAN participates in this project. European Mobility Week in Ljubljana is being organised by City Administration departments and offices, CIVITAS ELAN, the public utilities and institutes owned by the City of Ljubljana, the Ljubljana Police Directorate, the European Parliament Information Office for Slovenia, the European Commission Representation in Slovenia and various societies and organisations. Further information about European Mobility Week: MOB-i-LNICE – Info Points for Quality Mobility can be found at two addresses of the Tourist Information Centre, Adamič-Lundrovo nabrežje 2 and Trg osvobodilne fronte 6 (Ljubljana Railway Station) and at the Slovenian Tourist Information Centre in Krekov Square 10. www.civitasljubljana.si Overview of activities during European Mobility Week and Car Free Week MOL Department for Environmental Protection: besides regular ambient air quality measurements, which are carried out within the environmental measurement system at the intersection of Tivolska and Vošnjakova Street, an additional measurement campaign will be conducted with a measuring station at Drama. From 15 September to 15 November 2012, the following parameters will be measured: SO2, NOX, PM10 and BTX. The measurement results will be posted in real time at www.ljubljana.si and the campaign will be followed up with a report interpreting the results. Additional measurements of noise will also be carried out between 16 and 22 September to check the effect of reduced traffic in the city on noise levels. Measuring points will be set up at the intersection of Tivolska and Vošnjakova Street and at various locations within the narrow city centre (22 September 2012). MOL City Traffic Wardens will be running the following activities: control over two-wheeled vehicles in pedestrian zones, control over the passability of cycling lanes and pavements and control over compliance with road traffic regulations. The Council for Prevention and Education in Road Traffic and JP LPT (Open Door Day, 22 September 2012) will prepare events presenting the Traffic Wardens' service vehicles and their equipment (AED, radar, traffic control equipment). Ljubljana Public Transport will carry out its activities under the common title "LPT INFO DAISIES". The campaign's basic aim is to hand out maps of LPT bus routes to potential passengers (particularly drivers of personal vehicles and the residents of peripheral municipalities with new LPT routes) to improve their familiarity with the LPT route network and the options for intermodal travel, and inform the existing passengers of the latest changes to the LPT route network. 29 large yellow and green daisies will be planted nearby Mercator shops and Petrol service stations as a reminder that Mercator shops or Petrol service stations will be offering free maps of LPT bus routes. The distribution of the maps at Petrol service stations in peripheral municipalities will take place in collaboration with the municipalities of Brezovica, Domžale, Grosuplje, Ig, Logatec, Medvode, Trzin, Škofljica and Vodice. LPT route maps will also be given out at the LPT Passenger Centre at Slovenska Road 56, Bavarski dvor, and at both the Tourist Information Centres mentioned above and the Slovenian Tourist Information Centre. The bus route map displays the points of sale for Urbana cards (selected Mercator shops and selected Petrol service stations which are also points selling Urbana value cards and points where Urbana value cards and time cards can be topped up with credit) and now also a map and table of zones 1, 2 and 3, a sketch of the parking facilities of JP LPT and both of the two P+R car parks (Centre Stožice and Dolgi Most) plus the nearby LPT routes and a sketch of the Slovenska Road closure during the European Mobility Week. LPT INFO DAISIES will be accompanied by two activities: two "LPT mobile units" in the city centre and five thematic "LPT travelling exhibitions" on ten buses. The members of LPT mobile units will be giving out LPT route maps and information about the advantages of travelling by city public transport buses to potential passengers, i.e. the drivers of personal vehicles,. The advantages of Ljubljana Public Transport will, in addition, be presented in five LPT thematic travelling exhibitions on ten buses for the passengers to look at during their ride. Buses with such cardboard displays will be running from 17 September 2012 and, it is expected, until the end of the year. Travelling exhibition themes: Intermodal travelling (How to travel with a folding bicycle on the bus) Transport on call (Presenting the Transport on Call service for disabled people) Methane buses (The advantages of methane buses) Safe bus travel (Practical advice for safe travelling by bus) Bus manners The Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RDA LUR) will present the Transport Unrelated Information Portal – a regional project co-financed with non-refundable European funds which involves the City of Ljubljana and seven peripheral municipalities. Also presented will be the renewed web portal www.gremonapot.si, enhanced with new walking and cycling routes in the region. The European Parliament Information Office for Slovenia and the European Commission Representation in Slovenia: an information stall will be held in front of the European Union House at Breg 14 every day between 10:00 and 18:00 presenting sustainable mobility and related EU measures. Visitors to the stall in front of the European Union House will also be able to assess their knowledge of sustainable mobility by taking part in the "Wheel of Fortune" prize competition. Ljubljana Tourism is preparing a range of free guided tours of Ljubljana; promotional material and information about European Mobility Week activities will be given out at MOB-i-LNICE – Info Points for Quality Mobility, at both TICs and at the STIC. Activities by day Sunday, 16 September 2012 – Free Time The Tourism Ljubljana public institute holds: Free tours of the City Hall: 6 one-hour tours of the City Hall premises with a guide in traditional Ljubljana costume: at 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 3.30, 4.30 and 5.30; Free tours of the city: 5 two-hour walks around Ljubljana at 10, 11, 2, 4 and 5 o'clock; Free tours of the city by bike: 3 two-hour guided tours by bicycle (maximum 15 people) at 11, 1 and 3 o'clock; Free rides with the tourist train to Ljubljana Castle: scheduled rides all day (13 rides) – on the hour from 9 am to 9 pm (inclusive). Gas Tuning is preparing ECOmeet – a meeting of "eco" vehicles, with a presentation of exhibits and technologies, and an eco-vehicle presentation and test driving (electric cars and commercial vehicles) in Pogačarjev Square between 8 and 5 o'clock. Ljubljana Police Directorate policemen will carry out tighter control over drivers of two-wheeled vehicles for speed and the use of safety helmets between 13:00 and 17:00. Monday, 17 September 2012 – Public Transport Ljubljana Police Directorate policemen will carry out tighter control over illegal parking on cycling lanes and cyclist offences (driving along cycling lanes in the wrong direction) between 7:00 and 13:00. The Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RDA LUR) will present the renewed “Let's Go..!” portal – an online guide on cycling, hiking and running trails, which offers over a thousand kilometres of ideas for active leisure amid nature in the Ljubljana Urban Region, at 11:00 in the Central Atrium at the City Hall. At the same time, Urška dance school dancers will be inspiring passers-by on Čopova Street with their dance act to get physically active and explore the natural beauties of the region. On the left bank of the Ljubljanica, at Špica, a get-together of the creators of Let's Go..!, cyclists, hikers and runners will take place from 11:30 to 13:30. Under the watchful eye of the Pulz Šport sport club trainers, you will be able to accomplish the first few steps in Nordic walking, which is suitable for dynamic walks in the region. Tuesday, 18 September 2012 – Mobility with A Difference The Kazina Dance School will prepare a flash mob event entitled Dancing Makes Me Tick at Kongresni Square with primary and secondary schools and the CIVITAS ELAN team to draw attention to care for the environment and cleaner air. In collaboration with Ljubljana primary schools, a flash mob dance act – when a large group of people performs an unusual act in a public place (in this case "ordinary walkers" suddenly start dancing) – is to take place at 10:00 and will be repeated at 17:00 with secondary school students and other participants. The Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe – Ljubljana Office (REC Slovenia) will organise a special city bus trip from Bavarski dvor through Iška vas, Jezero and back to Bavarski dvor between 11:00 and 14:00 in collaboration with the municipalities of Ig and Brezovica as part of CIVITAS ELAN. Trip participants will get information about the reasons, conditions and restrictions for the transport of folding bicycles on city buses, the efforts of the Brezovica and Ig municipalities in the area of public transport and the (unexploited) potential for improving the co-modality of bicycles and public transport. Participants will also have the opportunity to try out different types of folding bikes, including those powered by electricity. Ljubljana Police Directorate policemen will carry out tighter control over the drivers of two-wheeled vehicles for speed and the use of safety helmets between 1:00 and 17:00. The European Parliament Information Office for Slovenia will hold a children's creative workshop outside the European Union House at Breg 14 between 15:30 and 17:30. Children will be making environment means of transport out of clay. Wednesday, 19 September 2012 – Cycling Ljubljana Police Directorate policemen will be carrying out tighter control over illegal parking and stopping on cycling areas and at LPT bus stops between 8:00 and 12:00. The MOL Council for Prevention and Education in Road Traffic will organise a cycling circle at highly exposed traffic points in the city. There will be information points (stalls) in Prešernov Square, at the intersection of Miklošičeva Road and Čufarjeva Street, at the Ljubljana Bus Station, at the intersections at Bavarski dvor and Delavski dom, on Prežihova Street, at the intersection of Prešernova Road and Cankarjeva Street, in Trg narodnih herojev Square and at the intersection near Nama (Cankarjeva Street). At the stalls, the Council workers, traffic experts and policemen will be giving advice and calling attention to the dangers cyclists are exposed to in traffic, explaining the correct way to ride a bike and the most suitable cycling equipment and safety helmets for cyclists. Advice will be primarily targeted at organized groups of student cyclists in the company of primary school mentors. The European Parliament Information Office for Slovenia and the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency are preparing a children's creative workshop, "Paint Your Helmet and Make an Environmentally Friendly Means of Transport out of Clay", outside the European Union House at Breg 14 between 15:30 and 17:30. Thursday, 20 September 2012 – Mobility And Health The European Parliament Information Office is preparing a campaign entitled "Leaving Behind Only My Fingerprints". Anyone passing the European Union House between 12:00 and 18:00 and carried by their own feet or propelled by bike, tricycle, skateboard, inline skates or a means of transport which releases no harmful emissions will receive a small gift for helping protect the environment. On this occasion, a large tree will be set up on the plaza outside the EU House at Breg 14. A photographer will take pictures of passers-by whose means of transport contributes to cleaner air and develop two photographs; one will be given to the person and the other hung on the tree. Between 15:00 and 18:00, the audience will be entertained by the improvisers Ana Marija Mitič and Ad Hoc Teater and there will also be some good music. In parallel with this event, a children's art workshop, "Paint Your Helmet", will be held at the same time in collaboration with the Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency. CIVITAS ELAN is preparing the closing event of the CIVITAS Elan project, "Moving in the Right Direction – Changing Travelling Habits through the Achievements of CIVITAS Elan", which will be held from 8:00 to 12:00 in the Large Meeting Hall at the City Hall, to be followed by a guided cycling tour of CIVITAS Elan achievements on the field from 12:00 to 14:00. SKIKE PAN-DA Club is putting on a presentation of skike skating, a type of Nordic inline skating, at Kongresni Square between 9:00 and 18:00. Ljubljana Police Directorate policemen will be carrying out tighter control over drivers forcing pedestrians at pedestrian crossings and cyclists on cycling lanes between 8:00 and 12:00. Friday, 21 September 2012 – Responsible Car Use Ljubljana Police Directorate policemen will be carrying out tighter control over illegal parking and stopping on cycling areas and at LPT bus stops between 8:00 and 12:00. SKIKE PAN-DA Club is putting on a presentation of skike skating, a type of Nordic inline skating, at Kongresni Square between 9:00 and 18:00. In collaboration with MOL City Traffic Wardens, CIVITAS Elan will activate the "CIVITAS Patrol" between 9:00 and 12:00, which will issue notices of offence as a friendly warning to drivers that they have made an error. Tighter control will be carried out over illegal car parking, especially on cycling lanes, pedestrian crossings or pedestrian areas and parking places for people with disabilities. Saturday, 22 September 2012 – Car Free Day (Car Free Week) JP LPT employees are working with the Council for Prevention and Education in Road Traffic to hold an Open Door Day presenting various activities (driving school, Traffic Safety Agency-Council for Prevention and Education in Road Traffic, motor associations, MOL City Traffic Wardens, Ljubljana Police Directorate) at the Safe-Driving test track at the Barje Waste Disposal Site (car fair) between 10:00 and 15:00. MOL Department for Environmental Protection is holding an open door day between 9:00 and 15:00 at the Environmental Measurement System measuring station at the intersection of Tivolska and Vošnjakova Street. Experts will show how the measurements are taken and interpreted, and the visitors will be able to take a look at the system's interior, individual meters and find out about the current condition of ambient air. Noise will be measured as well, by using a mobile measuring station at several locations around the city centre.
Author: Kontić Vita
