This Week in Urban Mobility
Welcome to This Week in Urban Mobility, your curated digest of the most important developments shaping the future of how we move in European cities. As an industry insider, I'm passionate about cutting through the noise to bring you the news, trends, and insights that truly matter for urban mobility professionals.
1. Energica Faces Liquidation: Could This Lead to a Fresh Start?
Energica Motor Company S.p.A. , the Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer, has entered judicial liquidation under the oversight of an Italian court. This decision follows financial difficulties, including supply chain disruptions and escalating production costs, which made it impossible for the company to continue operations sustainably. Energica, once a leader in the high-performance electric motorcycle sector, is now undergoing this court-mandated process to settle its debts.
While Energica’s liquidation may seem like the end, the legal framework in Italy could provide a lifeline. As noted by Marchel Bulthuis , the Dutch importer of Energica, this move may give the company a chance to reorganize and potentially re-emerge in a different form.
2. The First Cable Car in ?le-de-France Nears Completion
?le-de-France Mobilités is set to launch its first cable car system, the Cable 1, which is nearing completion and expected to begin operations soon. Spanning 4.5 kilometers, this new transport solution will connect several suburbs southeast of Paris, offering an innovative alternative for overcoming the area’s challenging geography. The cable car, with a capacity to carry 1,600 passengers per hour in each direction, is designed to improve daily commutes by reducing traffic congestion and offering a sustainable, low-emission transit option.
The Cable 1 project is more than just a fun new mode of transport; it’s an ingenious solution to the specific geographic hurdles faced by the southeastern suburbs of Paris. Steep terrain, narrow streets, and fragmented urban planning have historically limited traditional public transport options in these areas. By taking to the skies, the cable car system bypasses these obstacles, providing a direct, efficient route for thousands of daily commuters. This model could set a new standard for other cities grappling with similar topographical challenges.
3. Europe’s Public Transport: Which Cities Excel and Which Fall Behind?
领英推荐
A new ranking evaluates the quality of public transport in European cities, identifying both top performers and those that fall short. Zurich emerges as the best city for public transport, praised for its punctuality, network coverage, and service frequency. Other cities like Vienna and Stockholm also score highly due to their well-developed infrastructure and sustainability efforts. In contrast, cities such as Rome and Athens rank among the worst, facing issues like outdated systems, overcrowding, and delays. The study highlights the disparities in public transport quality across Europe and emphasizes the need for continuous investment and innovation.
The gap between Zurich’s top-notch public transport and Athens’ struggling system shows that Europe’s transport challenges aren’t just about infrastructure—they’re the result of policy decisions that either prioritize or neglect urban mobility.
4. The Future of German Rail: What Flix’s Growth Means
Flix , known for its long-distance bus services, is expanding its train operations across Germany, challenging the dominance of Deutsche Bahn . The company plans to increase the number of routes and trains, aiming to provide travelers with more options and potentially lower fares. This expansion is part of Flix’s broader strategy to capitalize on the growing demand for rail travel in Europe.
It’s great to see Flix taking on Germany’s rail sector with such ambition—CEO André Schw?mmlein deserves credit for pushing boundaries in the mobility space. However, integrating these new services into an already stretched network will be a significant challenge, particularly when it comes to maintaining reliable schedules.
5. Paris Cyclist’s Death: A Stark Reminder of the Fight for Safer Streets
An investigation has been opened after an SUV motorist tragically ran over a cyclist in Paris, sparking widespread outrage and renewing discussions on urban safety. This incident is a grim reminder of the ongoing tension between car-centric cities and vulnerable road users. As pressure mounts on local authorities, citizens are calling for immediate action to prioritize safer, more sustainable urban mobility solutions.
The growing calls for cyclist safety in Paris mirror the early 1970s movement in Amsterdam, where public outcry led to the transformation of streets to favor bikes and pedestrians over cars. This historic shift, ignited by the Stop de Kindermoord protests in 1971, helped shape one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities. Today’s urban leaders could draw from this past to create lasting change.
Interested in the future of urban mobility? Let's connect! Subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter for a mix of news, analysis, and conversations on how we can build smarter, more livable cities across Europe.