Active Mobility Takes the Stage in Bystřice, Czech Republic

The town of Velká Bystřice in the Czech Republic came alive on 26 September 2025, as citizens gathered for an inspiring A2PT Action Day organised by the Partnership for Urban Mobility within the Active2Public Transport (A2PT) project. The event, part of the national Active September campaign, showcased how combining public and active transport can make daily mobility more enjoyable, sustainable, and social.

While promoting sustainable transport can sometimes be a challenge, the Bystřice team found a winning formula: connecting the topic with positive emotions and experiences. Visitors were drawn by a concert of the Czech singer MARCELL, known from the Czech TV show, who added star appeal to the event and spoke about his personal motivation for supporting greener ways of travel.

Before the concert, the audience could watch videos of local A2PT ambassadors—residents from Bystřice, Šternberk, and Uničov—who had spent September testing electric folding bikes and cargo bikes for daily commuting and family errands. Their stories illustrated that choosing cycling or public transport over the car is not only possible but rewarding.

Throughout the day, participants had the chance to try e-bikes, explore mobility solutions, and enjoy community activities and local refreshments. The morning programme brought together experts and local stakeholders to discuss how towns and cities can jointly create safer and more attractive transport options for everyone.

The “ZVOLNI” (Slow Down) event became a symbolic highlight of the Active September campaign—reminding everyone that slowing down doesn’t mean losing time, but rather gaining quality of life. As organisers noted, even small steps—like leaving your car at home for a day—can make a big difference for cleaner air, calmer streets, and healthier communities.

The Bystřice Action Day perfectly captured the A2PT project’s mission: to encourage people to experience active and public transport in a practical, social, and memorable way, inspiring long-term behavioural change across the Danube Region.