Experiences from the A2PT Testing: The Shift to Climate-Friendly Mobility

What happens when you leave your car at home for a month and travel by bike and public transport instead? That’s the question the A2PT (Active2Public Transport) project set out to answer.

The project recruited a group of individuals who were ready to explore new ways of getting around. They were provided with either an e-bike or folding bike and tickets for public transport. In return, they committed to largely forgoing the use of their cars for four weeks.

The project was carried out internationally in five countries: besides Burgenland in Austria, it also took place in Germany, in the Bratislava region of Slovakia, in the Olomouc region of the Czech Republic, and in Romania.

Participants reported a mix of positive outcomes and infrastructure challenges. Many found significant health benefits from daily movement and enjoyed being outdoors, discovering new routes, and saving money. For some, the experience was so transformative that they decided to permanently change their habits. The project also revealed that a person's mobility radius could be greatly expanded with the right combination of transport methods.

However, the test also highlighted key obstacles that need to be addressed. Participants frequently encountered a lack of safe bike paths and secure parking, as well as limited evening public transport connections. These issues pointed to a clear need for improved infrastructure to make climate-friendly mobility a truly seamless and convenient option for everyone.

The feedback from the project is being used to help shape future mobility offerings in the region. The A2PT test successfully demonstrated that moving away from car dependency is not only possible but can also improve the quality of life, as long as the supporting conditions are in place. The project shows that with the right infrastructure, a shift toward sustainable travel is an achievable and rewarding goal.