Car Free Day was organised in Gdynia on 22 September 2013 on two streets which were occasionally closed for traffic - Kosciuszko Square and Pope John Paul II Avenue. These are very important streets adhering to the city centre, connecting city centre to the sea. The streets are very popular among citizens and tourists and visited by whole families.
The event has attracted a lot of participants – everyone could find something interesting for himself. The youngest could take part in painting cardboard (of course sustainable!) means of transport: bicycles, buses and trolleybuses, as well as spend time in the “children zone” of our relaxation zone. For slightly older participants we have organised workshops on decorating bicycles and sewing felt bags, which enjoyed enormous success - within a few days from start of the subscriptions all the available spaces were occupied! Workshops ended with competition for the best decorated bicycle. During the event, the beautiful bicycles decorated by contestants have been attracting a lot of attention of people passing by the promenade. Another interestingly decorated bicycles together with stands with curiosities on bicycle and pedestrian traffic, public spaces and our sustainable transport campaigns, have been standing along Pope John Paul II Avenue throughout the whole European Mobility Week. People walking along the square could also relax in our relaxation zone, where they could read a book from book-crossing, play board games, eat or have a nice coffee from the coffee cargo bike “VeloCafe” or even take part in the workshops of making sourdough bread. At the same time, the urban workshops were held, partly in Gdynia’s Infobox. The workshops were focused on creating citizens friendly urban public spaces, particularly on the area of Kosciuszko Square and Pope John Paul II Avenue. Within the workshops the walk along this problem area was also held. During Car Free Day we have provided highly popular free bicycle rental, which has offered bicycles together with trailers or bicycle safety seats for children.
On the same day we also celebrated the CIVITAS Day and the European Trolleybus Day and also on this occasion we prepared interesting activities for residents. Throughout the whole September two trolleybuses with banners promoting the event were coursing in the city centre. On the banners we placed slogans promoting trolleybuses made up by our citizens. On 22 September small gifts and incentives were distributed to passengers: CIVITAS fudges, leaflets, magnets and windmills in trolleybuses coursing along Swietojanska street (the main shopping street in Gdynia city centre). During the event, on Kosciuszko Square we organised our CIVITAS DYN@MO information point for residents, where they could gain some knowledge on the project, receive “project” fudge, magnet, pencil, windmill or read about the project in dedicated leaflet.
In addition, during the European Mobility Week the banner promoting European Trolleybus Day was hanging on the trolleybus depot building.
On 22 September, on Skwer Kosciuszki, we also held the official closing and announcement of winners of the 15 week long bicycle competition “Bike to work” for Gdynia’s companies.
European Mobility Week abounded also some other attractions. On 22 September all owners or co-owners of cars could travel by public transport for free with car registration card instead of ticket. On 20-22 September the passengers of SKM - Rapid Urban Railway could take advantage of ZOOM SKM offer (33% discount) directed to passengers travelling together in groups of 2-5 people. On 21 September in Tri-City free historical bus line 101 was coursing between Gdynia and Gdansk, which was operated among others by innovative Gdynia’s CNG buses. On 22 September free trolleybus line 326 was coursing between two Gdynia’s districts Grabowek and Orlowo, which was operated by historical trolleybuses. On 20 September school bicycle trip was organised which included visit in Gdynia’s trolleybus depot.
