This is a guest post by EIT Urban Mobility written by Victoria Campbell. EIT Urban Mobility is the leading innovation community for urban mobility in Europe, committed to accelerating the transition to sustainable urban mobility and more liveable urban spaces.
Western European cities often dominate conversations about ‘best practices’ in active mobility. Cities like Paris, Copenhagen and Amsterdam are widely recognised for their commitment to sustainable and active mobility in urban planning. With Copenhagen’s extensive bicycle infrastructure, Amsterdam’s robust cycling culture, and Paris’ recent urban redesign to become a 15-minute city, these cities are rightfully celebrated as pioneers in active mobility planning. However, they do not represent the depth and breadth of active mobility planning in cities across the European Union.
In recent years, a shift has been taking place in Central and Eastern Europe, in which cities across the region are investing in the infrastructure, technology and cultural transformations needed to engage residents in active mobility. From intelligent bike safety systems in Romania to coastal cycling highways in Poland, these cities are not just trying to emulate Western European mobility planning but are creating new systems and cultures of their own.
Gdańsk, Poland: hosting the world of cycling
This summer, Gdańsk will serve as the host city for the world’s leading annual cycling conference, Velo-city. The international summit attracts over 1,000 participants and more than 100 exhibitors, helping spotlight the city’s growing reputation in the cycling community.
Beyond hosting Velo-city, Gdańsk has made significant investments in cycling infrastructure within the last decade. The city boasts over 850 kilometres of bike-friendly routes, including 155 kilometres of dedicated cycling tracks, 65 kilometres of shared pedestrian/cycling paths, and an additional 620 kilometres of streets with a 30 kilometre per hour speed limit. Largely due to the infrastructural and cultural initiatives to make the city more bicycle-friendly, Gdańsk recorded a 52% increase in bicycle traffic between 2017 and 2023, showing resident’s increased confidence in adopting the mode. By 2030, the city hopes to increase the modal share of walking, cycling and public transport from 59% to 65%, showing their commitment to providing residents with safe active mobility options.
Bacău, Romania: lighting the way for safer cycling
Bacău, Romania, through EIT Urban Mobility’s Rapid Applications for Transport (RAPTOR) programme, is piloting an innovative solution with startup Hilo EV to improve cycling safety for older adults. The Intelligent Road Illumination System (IRIS) provides 360-degree light coverage, controlled by a personal device, to enhance visibility and increase situational awareness of others sharing the road.
Using AI image processing and sensor data, IRIS detects nearby vehicles and pedestrians, activating flashing lights to alert surrounding traffic of the cyclist’s position. The technology aims to increase users’ feelings of safety, in order to encourage greater uptake of the active mobility mode, especially for those who might otherwise choose to drive due to fear and discomfort. Mihai Mariutei from the Health, Culture and Education Bureau of Bacău recently spoke about the success of the pilot, explaining, “Around 50% of users said it made them feel much safer, and 85% expressed a strong interest in cycling with it“, showing the vast potential for greater participation in urban cycling.
Kraków, Poland: campaigning for commuter cyclists
In Kraków, cycling has evolved into a mainstream commuting option thanks to the city’s annual cycling campaign. The long-running initiative, currently in its 9th edition, encourages residents to choose cycling over car use when commuting to work. The campaign is supported by a digital platform that tracks trips, gamifying the everyday experience of getting to work.
In 2024, the initiative saw participation from more than 3,400 individuals and 170 organisations, with nearly 370,000 trips recorded. Altogether, participating riders covered over 2.5 million kilometres. Following the campaign, 12% of participants reported that they began cycling to work regularly and 55% stated that they used their bikes more often than before the initiative.
Budapest, Hungary: a people-powered parade
Every year, thousands of Budapest residents take to the streets for the I Bike Budapest annual event, organised by the Hungarian Cyclists’ Club. In 2023, the event drew more than 15,000 participants, turning the city into a vibrant, car-free environment for safe and dedicated cycling. The popularity of such events not only raise awareness but also transform streets, giving public space back to residents to enjoy, while also demonstrating to policymakers, urban planners and city leaders that prioritising active mobility is a major public issue with many supporters.
In parallel to large-scale public events, grassroots initiatives are also reshaping Budapest’s cycling landscape. One such example is the TandEM women in cycling programme, developed by EIT Urban Mobility and BYCS, which equips women with the skills and confidence to teach cycling to others in their communities. Eszter, a Budapest-based participant and self-described “cargo bike mom”, led five successful workshops after completing the training, helping women overcome barriers to cycling and become cycling trainers themselves, building new habits and a large community of local cyclists. The programme helps to highlight the importance of “human infrastructure” alongside physical investments, like the city’s expanding 300-kilometre cycling network.
Prague, Czechia: smart planning and festival energy
Prague is advancing its cycling infrastructure with a data-driven approach, using digital planning tools to optimise their network expansion and connectivity. The city has planned a five-million-euro investment to improve its cycling infrastructure and encourage active mobility. As Bára Soukupová, chairwoman of the City Council Commission for bicycle transport recently explained in a press release about the investment, “Our priority is to consolidate the hitherto fragmented infrastructure for people on bicycles into usable, functional sections to increase the attractiveness of cycling for a wide range of residents.”
Simultaneously, Prague is also working to cultivate a strong cycling culture through public events. Its annual Bike Fest, the largest cycling fair in the city, attracts people from across the city with opportunities to test out new bikes, learn about the latest trends and take part in community activities. By offering both financial investments in infrastructural improvements as well as cultural activities to incentivise active mobility, the city aims to create behavioural change that is long-lasting.
Beyond the big names
While cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Paris remain important reference points in the conversation about active mobility, emerging initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe provide examples of alternative and locally-adapted initiatives. Whether through piloting innovative technology for increased safety, organising large public events, or investing in revamped cycling infrastructure; these cities demonstrate that progress can be made in myriad ways. As cities around the world seek more inclusive, sustainable and healthful mobility, it is worth looking beyond the usual suspects to explore the wealth of emerging strategies across Central and Eastern Europe.
