Vitoria-Gasteiz plans to become an international benchmark in sustainable and safe mobility
To become a world leader in clean mobility, the municipality has aligned, over the years, political and financial resources to shift the way its residents move. Its most recent plans – the City’s Agenda (2019-2023) and the new Sustainable Mobility and Public Space Plan (2021-2025) – lay out ambitious sustainable mobility targets, with clear timelines and milestones, to gradually give public space back to pedestrians, bicycles and public transport.
The numbers don’t lie…
Vitoria-Gasteiz has thoroughly documented its mobility transition, and the data walks the talk. Between 2006 and 2019, the modal share of private motor vehicles decreased from 36.5% to 29%, whilst the share of public transport increased from 43% to 49.5% and cycling from 3.3% to 8.5%. Moreover, annual public transport passengers grew from 12.7 million in 2008 to over 24.5 million in 2019.
These shifts are the result of the city’s strategic plans and investments in mobility services and infrastructure, like the introduction of a tram system and cycling networks.
With great ambition comes recognition and financial support
In February, the Spanish Government revealed that the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz will receive 11 million euros from the EU recovery package “Next Generation EU”. These funds will be used to further anchor the city’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and develop other sustainable mobility projects.
Between 2022 and 2023, residents of Vitoria-Gasteiz will witness the extension of the city’s cycling network and bicycle parking spaces, improvements in pedestrians’ accessibility to the Central Superblock, modernized and digitalized parking regulations, the creation of last-mile micro-logistics hubs for sustainable deliveries and the development of the Electric Mobility Center, amongst others.
Overall, the comprehensive mobility package will lead the way to the city’s transition to sustainable mobility, reduce greenhouse emissions and improve public health in Vitoria-Gasteiz, as well as protect the Medieval Quarter.
