The Secretary of State for Mobility considered the need to intervene with the younger generations to change the paradigm of mobility, making it more pedestrian, more decarbonized and green.
Speaking to Lusa about the Walk21 international conference dedicated to pedestrian mobility, which is being held this year in Lisbon, Cristina Pinto Dias stated that it is with the younger generations that we must intervene by “raising awareness among children, to raise awareness among parents about the importance of pedestrian mobility.”
“It is necessary to do several things, but what I consider most effective is action in schools, among the young generations. We are going to have to intervene to change this pattern of behavior and raise awareness among children so that they can make their parents aware that it is not about leaving the garage, getting in the car and going to school. It is necessary to transform their mobility models a little, making them more decarbonized and green,” he considered.
Recognizing that behaviors do not change overnight, Cristina Pinto Dias recalled that today she lives “in a more decarbonized city” than when she was younger, with many people traveling by bicycle and more people walking.
“The more public decision makers become aware that if the sizing of territories is designed with more comfortable and safe accessibility, there is no doubt that people will adhere,” he said.
For the person in charge, it is also necessary to create bike lanes, comfortable walks so that “older people can walk safely and without fear.”
To change the figures for pedestrian mobility, which a 2021 study showed that only 16% of people practiced, Cristina Pinto Dias said that, in 2030, the goal is to reach between 30% and 35% of the modal share , but for this to happen it is necessary to work with the schools.
The conference will take place between Monday and Friday, but on Sunday, at 9:30 a.m., participants are invited to take a walk between Príncipe Real and Largo Camões, in Lisbon, which will be attended by the Secretary of State.
So far, around 500 people have registered, from 60 countries, the objective is that, during the four days, experts from Europe and the world share knowledge on how to develop and implement walking policies and programs, increasing the value and impact of these. in the life of the communities.
Source: Observadora
