Inspiring Pilot Actions to Combine Active and Public Transport Modes
Seven inspiring pilot actions across nine countries are exploring how to better connect active and public transport modes. From testing integrated ticketing systems and secure bike boxes to transforming streets into safer, people-friendly spaces, these pilots showcase innovative solutions for more sustainable, accessible, and enjoyable mobility in European cities.
The Value of Pilot Actions in Shaping Sustainable Mobility
Pilot actions are essential tools for developing and testing innovative mobility solutions before they are applied on a larger scale. In the transition toward sustainable transport, small-scale experimentation allows cities, regions, local authorities, or operators to explore new ideas, evaluate their impact, and adapt strategies based on real evidence rather than assumptions. By piloting initiatives such as integrated ticketing, secure bike storage, bike carriage on buses, or street transformations mobility managers can better understand how people move through urban spaces and how different transport modes interact with each other. These pilots provide valuable insights into user behaviour, accessibility challenges, and the social acceptance of new solutions.
Moreover, pilot actions create opportunities for cooperation between public transport operators, municipalities, planners, and citizens. They encourage co-design processes, where users actively contribute to shaping their mobility environment. This inclusive approach not only improves the quality of results but also increases public support for long-term change. From an environmental and economic perspective, pilots help reduce risks and optimize investments. Instead of committing large-scale resources to untested measures, cities can use pilot results to fine-tune future projects and policies.
Ultimately, pilot actions demonstrate how combining active and public transport can make mobility systems healthier, more efficient, and more resilient. They serve as living examples of how European cities can move toward cleaner, safer, and more people centred transport networks.
Integrated Bike + Public Transport Ticket in Bratislava
What if one ticket could change the way you travel? On cross-border line 901 between Bratislava (Slovakia) and Hainburg an der Donau (Austria), passengers can now combine public transport and free bike transport. A simple idea with a big impact on sustainable mobility.
Testing bike boxes in Slovenia
In Grosuplje, secure bike boxes at the existing multimodal hub were largely unused due to poor maintenance and lack of integration with public transport. To address this, a pilot project running from 2024 to 2026 as part of the A2PT Project was launched. The aim was to upgrade the facility, increase its use in combination with public transport, and analyse the travel habits and user experience of participants to find a scalable solution.
A2PT Testing Scheme
The pilot project is designed to promote active mobility, such as walking and cycling, along with the use of public transportation, by encouraging regular car users to completely abstain from using their cars for a four-week period. Therefore, ten participants will be provided with free access to bicycles and complimentary public transportation tickets. The aim is to raise awareness, encourage behavioural change, and increase acceptance of sustainable mobility.
Velo Romania
Velo Romania expands Romania’s cycling map into a powerful multimodal mobility tool. By adding layers that show bike-friendly public transport—train stations, bus stops, ferries, bike racks, and bike-sharing hubs—the platform helps travellers discover how cycling and transit connect across the country. With clearer data and smarter mapping, it reveals new ways to plan flexible bike-and-ride journeys.
Bike Carriage on Regional Buses: Multimodal Connectivity in Burgenland
Enhance regional mobility by bridging the gap between cycling and public transport. This pilot in Burgenland, Austria, tests bike carriage solutions on regional bus lines to increase multimodal journeys. By integrating bike racks on key routes, the project offers a seamless transition for commuters and tourists alike, making sustainable travel a viable choice for longer distances.
Pop-up Street Transformation for Safer School and Station Routes
Can temporary paint and planters save lives? The municipality of Neufeld an der Leitha is testing low-cost, interim street designs to transform Landegger Straße from a car-centric corridor into a safe, inviting connection for children and commuters. By "right-sizing" lanes and highlighting crossings with vibrant floor graphics, this pilot demonstrates how to prioritize active mobility.
The project Active2Public Transport is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union. The project was initiated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), Department II/6 in cooperation with klimaaktiv mobil – the Austrian Federal climate protection initiative on sustainable mobility.