Madeira (Portugal)

Madeira Island, located in the North Atlantic, is the main island of the Madeira Archipelago, with Funchal as its capital and primary urban center. Nearly two-thirds of the island is classified as protected natural area, and an extensive network of levadas - historic water channels with pedestrian paths - covers much of the territory. Madeira is a major international tourist destination, welcoming well over a million air passengers each year, alongside a significant volume of cruise visitors.

The island’s rugged, mountainous topography strongly shapes mobility patterns. Narrow, steep streets and limited sidewalk provision in many areas constrain walking and cycling, reducing the attractiveness of active modes for both residents and visitors. At the same time, continued investment in road accessibility and car-oriented infrastructure over recent decades has made private vehicle use increasingly convenient. This imbalance has contributed to a steady shift toward car dependency, accompanied by declining use of public transport.

As a result, Madeira faces growing challenges related to congestion, emissions, road safety, and the efficient movement of both residents and tourists - underscoring the need to rebalance the transport system toward more sustainable and inclusive mobility options.

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