Testing sustainable mobility in Bucharest: encouraging a shift towards cycling and public transport
As part of the Active2Public Transport (A2PT) project, the Velo National Coordination Centre (VNC) successfully implemented a pilot action in Bucharest aimed at encouraging more sustainable travel habits through real-life bicycle testing.

The Testing Schemes pilot offered participants the opportunity to replace some of their daily car trips with cycling, walking and public transport. Over the course of three testing rounds, participants tested different bicycle types—including classic, electric and cargo bikes—to discover which solutions best suited their everyday mobility needs.

Rather than simply promoting cycling, the pilot focused on giving people the opportunity to experience sustainable mobility in real-life conditions and to better understand the benefits, challenges and opportunities of combining active mobility with public transport.

From testing to behavioural change

The pilot demonstrated that practical experience can have a significant influence on mobility choices. Participants reported increased confidence in cycling, greater awareness of multimodal transport options and a reduced dependence on private cars.

The results also show that behavioural change can continue beyond the pilot itself:

  • 40% of participants purchased a bicycle after completing the testing period; 
  • 30% applied for secure bicycle parking, showing their intention to continue cycling; 
  • 80% took part in urban mobility events, becoming more actively involved in promoting sustainable transport. 
These outcomes highlight that temporary testing schemes can generate long-term impacts when people are given the opportunity to safely experience sustainable mobility in their daily lives.

Lessons learned

The pilot confirmed that successful behavioural change depends not only on motivation, but also on providing the right conditions. Participants identified safe cycling infrastructure, secure bicycle parking and good integration with public transport as essential factors for making cycling a realistic alternative for everyday travel.

At the same time, the pilot showed that hands-on experience, access to quality bicycles and continuous support can significantly reduce psychological barriers and increase confidence among first-time or occasional cyclists.

By testing sustainable mobility in practice, the A2PT pilot provided valuable insights that can support future policies and inspire similar initiatives in other cities and regions.

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