Different urban layouts and demographic conditions call for a wide range of mobility solutions. An ideal system links together various modes of transport in ways that minimise waiting periods and maximise ease of access. These latter considerations are especially important where older people are concerned. An otherwise good public transport or pedestrian system will be of little use to the most immobile or physically disadvantaged sectors of the population if it remains inaccessible or inconvenient; or, equally important, if the system itself is adequate but poorly marketed.

AENEAS partner cities are exploring a number of ways to make it easier and more fun for seniors to get around. Gothenburg, Sweden, for example, operates a successful and popular Flex-Line mini-bus system that contributes to maintaining older people’s personal mobility by providing customised services.

On the awareness-raising front, AENEAS encouraged workshop participants in Graz, Austria to experience the reality of physical challenges that older people face while getting around. The aim of this effort was to encourage planning and reforms that can make any form of public transportation or urban environment as comfortable as possible. Meanwhile, Salzburg is taking bus travel to new levels by providing tour booklets to riders in order to make municipal journeys more informative and enjoyable.

Finally, in Donostia-San Sebastián, cyclists and rollers of all ages claimed a major portion of the city’s streets for themselves during a special event, showing that strength in numbers can help to reduce car dependency and make travelling by other, greener means a much more preferable option.

The Editor – Nathan Johnson