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.
A2PT testing schemes
The testing scheme seeks to test not only the willingness of regular car users to transition to sustainable modes of transport but also the conditions under which they are willing to make this change. This includes factors such as convenience, infrastructure, time savings, and overall user experience. The study will also examine how many car trips are being replaced, for which purposes (e.g., commuting, shopping, leisure), and whether these changes are sustained over time.
The main objective of this pilot action is to ensure the implementation of a new type of travel ticket into the IDS BK app, allowing users to seamlessly purchase and combine single tickets for public transport with bicycle transport services. The aim of this initiative is to promote multimodal mobility by making it easier for passengers to switch between public transport and cycling, ultimately increasing urban mobility and sustainability.
The key objective of this pilot action is to instal secure bike facilities to encourage more users to adopt the public transport as their daily mode of transport. The goal is to install secure bike boxes designed to give passengers confidence to leave their bicycles, including valuable ones, like e-bikes or more expensive conventional bikes, in these units – even overnight. The bike boxes would provide safe storage for bicycles used for first-mile connectivity or last-mile connectivity, whether left overnight or during the workday. The overreaching objective is to increase the number of A2PT users over an extended period.
The key objective of the temporary street transformation is to enhance pedestrian and cyclists’ safety, reduce vehicle speeds, and minimise conflicts between road users. The goal is to increase the number of people walking and cycling by making streets more inviting and accessible. Community involvement, including residents, businesses, and experts, will be crucial for co-creating and assessing new designs. By improving non-motorized transport infrastructure, the pilot aims to increase the number of A2PT users.
The pilot action is aiming at identifying suitable solutions to increase the level of available data and adequate travel information focusing on A2PT solutions and services for travellers. By implemented the pilot action in their focus regions partners are following these objectives. Providing relevant and up-to-data information about A2PT solutions in the designated regions, focus on the user experience and providing relevant, easily accessible information, increase attractiveness of public transport usage among cyclists / cycle tourists and raise awareness among cyclist - tourists, commuters, and leisure about benefits of using PT solutions and cyclo-friendly services.
The pilot action is aiming at identifying suitable solutions to improve possibilities for bike carriage on regional busses. By implemented the pilot action in their focus regions the partners are following these objectives. Increase attractiveness of public transport usage among cyclists / cycle tourists and provide safe and secure options to transport bicycles on buses With the project partners this pilot would like to contribute to the overall objective of increasing the number of people using sustainable means of transport.
Coming soon.
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.