European Mobility Week

Between 16 and 22 September 2004 Chojnice for the second time participated in "European Mobility Week" and "In town without my car day". With the aim of rising awareness of the consequences of excessive use of private cars, the week draws inhabitants' attention to environmental problems and their impact on their health. The project was supported by the UBC Commission on Sport.

It is believed that there is a link between environmental problems and inhabitants' lifestyle. An active person is more keen on using bicycle as a means of transport or goes to work by foot. Increase of inhabitants' mobility was the city's aim. The main activities in the project were proposed by local NGOs, schools, private enterprises and public institutions through a contesting procedure. Over 40 proposals were submitted, of which best proposals were supported by the municipality and conducted during the EMW. With 53 partners involved in EMW, the initiative was open for everybody. For example, at 6 AM every morning local swimming pool was open for all inhabitants, free of charge. The main activities were conducted by schools and NGOs: contests, games, meetings, lectures - all aimed at promoting healthy and environment friendly life style. Some of them were innovative, for example, role playing game for students which combined scientific tasks with sport tasks (like orienteering race).

Since the focal theme of this year's EMW was "Safe streets for children" many activities were aimed at completing this task. Most effective were lessons and trainings for young cyclists combined with meetings with police officers, presentations of life-saving equipment and contests.

The media supported the campaign. Everyday local newspaper published an interview with one well-known person presenting their attitudes towards sport and healthy lifestyle. The EMW was concluded with a "In town without my car" day and a meeting of cyclists and pedestrians in the Market Square.