[NEWS] Rogaland: New strategy for soft mobility

The public transport authority Kolumbus has become good at inspiring people in the city areas to leave the car at home.

Now Kolumbus has been given the assignment to change travel habits in rural areas as well, through Rogaland County Council’s new strategy for soft mobility measures.

"We want to reduce the use of cars in towns and districts too, not just in the cities. Less use of cars can contribute to better accessibility, better public health, better environment and climate, and can be good for the development of smaller urban areas" says the head of the Department of Transport at Rogaland County Council, Gottfried Heinzerling.

Different needs

The new strategy from Rogaland County Council will support the work for more environmentally friendly transport systems, and the development of good cities and towns. The strategy provides guidelines on how Kolumbus and Rogaland County Council will work to increase the share of environmentally friendly travels. The goal is to get the most out of the measures that Kolumbus can offer. Smaller places can try out good mobility measures from urban areas, if it has a purpose. It is important to adapt the mobility work to the needs and conditions in the different parts of the county such as cities, towns and districts.

The shared electric city bike system is an example of a new mobility solution that has now been expanded to several municipalities in Rogaland and not just in the Stavanger area.

Accessibility across transport modes

The strategy addresses measures that will inspire and facilitate walking, cycling, public transport and new mobility solutions. It does not address measures for infrastructure and area. The strategy states the importance of working across modes of transport and create seamless transitions.

"We will not facilitate for cycling, walking and public transport separately, but look at opportunities for different modes of transportation to work together. That way people in Rogaland can leave their car at home even more often" says Heinzerling.

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