Try a new sustainable travel mode this European Mobility Week
European Mobility Week is the European Commission’s annual awareness-raising campaign on sustainable urban mobility. Taking place between 16-22 September of each year, the initiative is designed to support community, institutional and individual behaviour change with relation to active travel, mobility, public transport, and other clean, intelligent transport solutions.
The theme for European Mobility Week 2023 is Save Energy. In 2022, the transport sector accounted for 19.1% of Ireland's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, up 1.1% from 2021. Under the Public Sector Mandate for Climate Action, TU Dublin has a responsibility to reduce scope 3 carbon emissions, which includes emissions relating to how we travel.
The most recent TU Dublin Transport for Ireland (TFI) National Transport Authority (NTA) Staff and Student Smarter Travel Survey, showed that 81% of students and staff travel to campus sustainably, and 83% of survey respondents agreed that they would like to use sustainable transport to reduce their impact on the environment. So we would love to hear how we can support students and staff to form lifelong sustainable travel habits.
Taking place in September, the Sport & Societies Festival, is a great time for students to learn about sustainable and active travel to, and within, campus. Visit the Sustainability Hub at the Sport & Societies Festival between 19 - 27 September and talk to us about your commute to TU Dublin. We have bike lights, curtesy of TFI for those who cycle or are considering cycling to the University.
By travelling to campus sustainably or by active travel, students, staff, and the surrounding communities have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of better air quality, improved health and well-being, and a safer environment around the campus. TU Dublin is well connected by public transport links including Dublin Bus, LUAS, DART, and Iarnród Éireann train services with linkages to walk and cycle to campus. TU Dublin has over 2200 bike parking spaces and has shower and changing facilities within all campus locations. For more information on campus-specific transport and mobility services at TU Dublin, visit our Campus & Estates Travel page.
Actions you can take this European Mobility Week:
- Learn about the Make Way Day campaign and support people with disabilities who need better, safer and more secure opportunities for independent travel
- Car Free Day - if possible, leave the car at home and try a new mode of sustainable travel
- If possible, get of one stop earlier on public transport and walk the remaining distance to campus
- Consider one of the many Dublin bike rental schemes and add an active travel mode to your commute
- If you must take the car, consider a park and ride option and add a sustainable travel mode to your commute
- If you must take the car, consider carpooling