Changing the way we travel and live
Lagos is once again participating in this international initiative linked to environmental sustainability, mobility, and well-being from 16 to 22 September (European Car Free Day). With the collaboration of public and private organisations and local clubs and associations, the activities will include walks, sports activities, initiatives in schools, and free travel on the A ONDA urban transport network.
Promoted by the European Commission and coordinated at the national level by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), European Mobility Week (SEM2024), which Lagos is participating in, aims to encourage the adoption of behaviours compatible with sustainable development, particularly with protecting air quality, mitigating global warming, and reducing noise, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year’s programme, which was prepared by the municipality, includes the AONDA urban transport promotional campaign. Throughout European Mobility Week, from 16 to 22 September, Lagos’ urban transport will be free and open-access, with no need to show a pass or ticket. For those who have never used this service, this will be a good opportunity to get to know the ten lines that serve the entire municipality in a comfortable, accessible, economical and environmentally friendly way.
Several partners are joining this movement, one of which is the Centro Ciência Viva de Lagos, which will have its scientific bicycle (the ‘Bina’) in Praça Gil Eanes from 17 to 20 September, handing out ‘science ice creams’, through which it will disseminate scientific concepts, explored with simple experimental activities. Lagos-em-Forma is joining SEM2024 with an open day in the gym and swimming pool (18 September) and open CrossFit classes (22 September – advance booking required at the Lagos Sports Complex reception). Also, on the sports side, there will be a skateboarding demonstration in the City Park (18 September), organised by Skate Culture – Associação de Skates de Lagos, and a regional night march (20 September) that invites you to walk, exercise and socialise. The following day (21 September), the walk will also take place, but with a different purpose and framework, as part of a guided tour of the city’s gardens, streets and squares, which will help participants interpret and enjoy the city’s urban space. The tour will be led by historian Artur de Jesus, a senior technician from the local authority.
Schools are an active and essential part of this movement, which is why they will be involved in promoting the teaching of cycling in schools through the activities of the ‘Foot on the Pedal’ project in primary schools (from 18 to 20 September). On 20 September, the Santa Maria Primary School with Kindergarten will leave the school grounds and take its students to experience sustainable mobility – on foot, by bus and by bicycle – to discover the area.
The highlight and culmination of the programme will take place on Sunday, 22 September (European Car Free Day), with a bike ride that invites participants to discover part of the recently built section of the Ecovia do Litoral. The gathering will take place at 9.30 am on Avenida dos Descobrimentos, next to the pedestrian bridge over the Ribeira de Bensafrim, from where the ride will set off towards Meia Praia/Vale da Lama. The initiative is organised by the town council, with the support of local clubs (Associação de Amigos de Almádena, Grupo Popular das Portelas, Ciclo Clube de Lagos), Kidical Mass and bike hire companies, and is aimed at organisations, families and friends, children, young people and adults. On this day, you can also get a lift on the Lagos Tourist Train and take the ‘Marina – Ponta da Piedade – Marina’ route, which is an offer to the public from the municipality and the promoting company.
Taking advantage of the occasion, the municipality of Lagos also publicised its permanent measures associated with the theme, which can be found here.
See the full European Mobility Week 2024 programme here.
