Multiplier event in Parma
The Transit project multiplier event in Italy took place at the SERN network Secretariat Headquarter and was organized by SERN in cooperation with the Italian partners of the Transit project, i.e., LEPIDA and Unione Pedemontana Parmense. The meeting was arranged with the aim of presenting in detail the results and the project pathway of Transit as well as the experience of testing of the Swedish good practice of the Karlstad Municipality in Italy.
The format was a public conference format, open to all citizens and citizens coming from neighboring municipalities or living within the region. During the meeting it was possible to listen to the speeches of many speakers on the topic of the relevance and prioritization of sustainable mobility by bike in local and regional urban planning strategies, as well as the experiences and initiatives of local companies and biking associations to promote sustainable mobility among their employees and citizens and, finally, the presentation of the transfer and testing activity of the Swedish good practice Winter Cyclist in the 5 Municipalities forming the Unione Pedemontana Parmense, with testimonials who proved how it could be easy to change the mobility habits from driving private cars to use a bike in ordinary activities. There was also room for discussion about the value of behavioral change research studies as a tool for re-shaping the mobility habits of citizens towards more sustainable, safer, and healthier transport modalities, like bike. The event was moderated by the staff of the SERN Secretariat.
The event was attended by 47 individuals belonging to the stakeholders and target groups of the project, in particular workers, representatives of local companies involved in the transfer and testing of good practices, mobility managers of local private companies and local administrations, as well as public administrators of the municipalities of the Unione Pedemontana Parmense, of the city of Parma and Imola (associated member of SERN in the Transit project), as well as of other surrounding realities of Emilia-Romagna that are members of the SERN network. Furthermore, the event was attended by the Transit project’s foreign partners belonging to the Municipality of Karlstad, Ecocity and the Spanish Municipality of Abegondo. Finally, among the participants were also the Emilia Romagna Regional Councillor for Urban Planning and Mobility, and representatives of important businesses in the area that are investing heavily on strategies to promote sustainable mobility of their employees in the home-work journey.
At the end of the event the local decision makers as well as the representatives of the local business companies committed themselves to the adoption and spreading of the results of the project Transit at local level.