Funchal presents Sustainable Mobility at Expomadeira 2010 (CIVITAS MIMOSA )
Expomadeira, the main Economic Activities Exhibition of Madeira, takes place annually at Madeira Tecnopolo in Funchal, from 9-18 July. With access to large numbers of the business community and public all in one place, CIVITAS Mimosa Funchal took the opportunity to make itself heard with a stand. Their presence at the trade exhibition turned out to be a great success for both the project and visitors alike.
The overall aim was to make citizens and businesses aware of just how much atmospheric pollution and overcrowding, caused by heavy traffic volumes in the city, can be easily prevented with the help of the people, business and new measures being introduced in FunchalVisitors were able to see and hear for themselves about the negative effects on their health and local environment along with the urgent need to put into practice more sustainable mobility behaviour. Members of the CIVITAS Mimosa Funchal Team chatted and demonstrated just how easy it is to create a better environment and increase one’s quality of life, simply by using less pollutant transport now on offer. Visitors saw new ways of availing of the improved public transportation, cycling and walking routes. Several merchandising items were given away such as pens, key chains, bike reflectors and sunflower seeds. Also pamphlets were distributed to passersby about Eco Driving, Green Tariffs and CIVITAS Mimosa.Participation in the Expo also proved to be a good way to evaluate peoples’ knowledge about the CIVITAS MIMOSA project in Funchal. A survey was used to check their perception of the overall project and the importance given to the projects’ measures. With the chance to win two bicycles, one for male participants and one for female participants, a staggering 900 surveys were collected during the event, a number that exceeded all initial expectations. Not only did the bicycle raffle engage peoples’ involvement on the survey, the mere sight of two top of the range bikes on the stand wall acted as a central attraction for the stand. The result: a lot of interest in the project from people who would otherwise have walked by. Bruno Pereira, Funchal’s Deputy Mayor and CIVITAS PAC Vice-President, came along to the bike raffle to see for himself the great numbers attending the stand and the results achieved. Judging by this year’s success, Civitas Mimosa Funchal is already looking forward to next year’s event.
