For the tenth consecutive year, on the occasion of European Mobility Week, the European Cycling Mobility Week (Sem 2023) promoted by Fiab, Federazione italiana ambiente e bicicletta returns until 22 September. The message accompanying this edition is strong and draws attention to the political context. Valeria Lorenzelli, Fiab vice-president, states that "this year the Sem takes on a particular significance, as active mobility is constantly being opposed by the current government — a very serious and unprecedented state of affairs." She adds: "In the latest budget law, the 90-million-euro fund for municipal urban cycle paths was cut, then the 400 million euros of Pnrr funding for tourist cycle routes were slashed, and the proposed amendment to the Highway Code aims to suppress and discourage the use of bicycles, abolish speed cameras, and effectively make low-traffic zones in urban areas impossible. We must put a stop to this irresponsible drift, which is making our roads less safe and deepening Italians' dependence on fossil fuels and expensive petrol."

Cycling saves energy and improves health

European Cycling Mobility Week aims to highlight the benefits generated by cycling: more active, healthier people, more liveable cities and safer roads, less congested and polluted, where space is given back to people and social life.

The theme of this edition is "saving energy." The bicycle is therefore promoted as a strategic tool for driving the ecological transition and as a response to current energy challenges. Choosing it as a daily means of transport means choosing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle that saves time, money and CO2 emissions.

Sem: all the events

Hundreds of initiatives and activities are planned across Italy, listed on the website andiamoinbici.it, open to everyone and free of charge.

It all kicks off with the biggest challenge of the "Car free week", during which, for the entire week, people are invited to leave the car at home and get around by public transport, by bike or on foot.

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September saw an original initiative called Park(ing) day. If you were out walking and noticed some parking spaces transformed into play areas, set up with tables for an aperitivo or a culinary moment, or converted into artistic and recreational spaces, that was precisely the park(ing) day. The idea originated in San Francisco in 2005 to draw the attention of local authorities and citizens to the problems linked to the ubiquity of cars, before happily spreading around the world. In Italy, this year's theme is città 30 (30 km/h cities), and among the planned initiatives there will be information points explaining what a 30 km/h city means and what its benefits are.

There is a vast range of events organised across various municipalities, from city bike rides to cycle mechanics courses. There are also opportunities to learn to ride a bike (aimed at children but adults too), social get-togethers, and more institutional conferences to raise awareness of active mobility. At national level, one date to mark in the diary is Friday 22 September, the national Bike to Work Day. An invitation to try cycling to work at least once!