by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Michele Babuder, Councilor for Territorial Policies, Municipality of Trieste; Maurizio Marzi, president of Trieste Trasporti
Trieste will celebrate the 2026 European Mobility Week from September 16 to 22 with a citywide program of walks, cycling events, cultural activities and public discussions designed to promote sustainable and accessible urban transportation.
The initiative, presented Monday at Palazzo Gopcevich by Michele Babuder, Trieste’s Councilor for Territorial Policies, brings together municipal institutions, transport operators, sports clubs, cultural organizations and volunteer associations under the European Commission’s annual mobility campaign.
Launched in 2002, the European Mobility Week is the European Union’s flagship awareness campaign encouraging residents to choose active travel, public transportation and low-emission alternatives. This year’s theme, “Mobility for All,” focuses on making transportation accessible across generations and for people with diverse mobility needs.
Babuder said the program aims to connect sustainable mobility with broader aspects of daily life, including health, culture, sport and community participation.
A week of events across the city
The program opens on September 16 with activities for children and families, including Ortoliamo, which will transport participants by electric bus to the Sottolongera community garden for environmental workshops and reading sessions, and an intergenerational storytelling event at ASP ITIS.
On September 17, Piazza Verdi will host “E Alora Movite,” a free public performance featuring comedians Furian & Maxino alongside tap dance performances by TOC TOC Trieste, using entertainment to explore the theme of sustainable mobility.
Health and nature take center stage on September 18 with “10,000 Steps of Health,” a guided walk through the Bosco del Farneto urban forest highlighting its ecological and historical significance.
The busiest day of the festival arrives on September 19, with events including a grandparents-and-grandchildren walking bus in San Giovanni Park, educational activities in Opicina, and the return of the free Trieste–Poreč Bike Bus, allowing cyclists to access the Parenzana trail between Italy and Croatia.
On September 20, participants can join another edition of 10,000 Steps of Health, walking from the Opicina Obelisk through Prosecco and Contovello to Grignano, with the option of returning to Trieste by sea. The day also features the 15th Rampigada Santa, the city’s traditional uphill race for runners and cyclists, as well as Roller Day at Villa Revoltella, introducing skating to children and adults through workshops and demonstrations.
The official week concludes on September 22 with Argonauti Talk, an event for secondary school and vocational students organized by Trieste Trasporti and the Municipality of Trieste, bringing together professionals whose work shapes the city’s transportation system.
Events continue beyond the official week
The mobility initiative will extend into early October with two additional public events. On September 27, Piazza della Borsa will host the 19th Historic Day, Italy’s National Historic Vehicle Day, featuring vintage cars and motorcycles. On October 6, the Urban Center will welcome “The Floor to Associations,” a public forum organized with the regional health authority ASUGI focusing on prevention, physical activity, well-being and road safety.
Babuder said the diversity of the program reflects the broader goal of creating a city that is more inclusive and easier to navigate for residents of all ages.
“Mobility for all means making Trieste more accessible, livable and responsive to people’s everyday needs,” he said. “The strength of this initiative lies in the many organizations and citizens working together toward a more sustainable quality of life.”
