From Transport to Mobility
Daily traffic has become a constant source of stress and pollution
Daniel Onea, 30.10.2026, 13:30
Daily traffic has become a constant source of stress and pollution. Solving this problem, however, is not just about widening streets. It requires a shift from the concept of “transport” to that of “mobility.” This contributes significantly to environmental protection. Oana Turturică, head of the “Hai cu Bicla” association (Let’s Take A Bike), describes this new paradigm:
Oana Turturică: “These concepts are already the norm in Western countries. The transition from transport to mobility means ensuring equality and fairness for all road users. Whether we are behind the wheel, on a bicycle, on foot, or in a wheelchair, we all have rights and responsibilities. Streets are shared spaces that must accommodate everyone, free from obstacles and conflict. When these measures have been implemented on a large scale, we will see lower air and noise pollution, as well as improvements in public health and quality of life.”
Turning cycling from a personal hobby into a matter of public policy has been a core mission of the “Hai cu Bicla” association since 2013. From opening the first self-service bicycle repair shops in Bucharest in 2016 to drafting the “Bicycle Law” and the development of active partnerships for road safety, the association has fought consistently for equitable infrastructure. Oana Turturică tells us how this initiative began:
Oana Turturică: “The association started out as a form of protest. At the time, the then-mayor claimed there were no cyclists in Bucharest. So, we decided to prove that we do exist, and that we need safe and functional infrastructure. Although 13 years ago when we started our work there were no clear laws or regulations, such frameworks now exist; and yet, we find that cycling has become increasingly dangerous. There are even bans in place for cyclists. In other words, we are effectively being forced not to use bicycles.”
The risks in traffic are real: this year alone, by the end of August there had been 24 accidents involving cyclists in Bucharest. As part of the “Taking the Stress Out of Traffic” (“Scoatem nervii din trafic”) campaign run by “Hai cu Bicla” there was a discussion regarding the need for streets designed to accommodate human error. This safety-focused view is already in place in other countries, as explained by Oana Turturică:
Oana Turturică: “In Oslo, they have completely eliminated road accidents involving cyclist casualties. In the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries, cyclists are respected by motorists precisely because the latter realise that thanks to bicycles the air everyone breathes is cleaner. Another example comes from Lithuania, where municipal authorities have created the role of ‘bicycle officer.’ And civil society takes part in decisions regarding street reconfiguration, ensuring that cycling infrastructure is included from the very beginning.”
A project called InfraVelo Bucharest seeks to bring this standard to the Romanian capital city. The association places special emphasis on children’s safety through concepts such as “school streets,” an approach already implemented in Sibiu and Cugir. The initiative also aims to introduce bicycle waiting areas at traffic lights, as well as to restrict access for vans and cars in parks, in order to encourage the use of cargo bikes and keep these areas free from pollution. Oana Turturică, head of the “Hai cu Bicla” association, has more details:
Oana Turturică: “We have examples of good practices, though, unfortunately, not a lot of them. In Sibiu, for instance, there is this concept of ‘school streets’, which we would like to implement in Bucharest as well. Other good initiatives and infrastructure examples can be found in Reșița, Cluj, and Bacău, while cycle-tourism routes are being developed in Transylvania. Bucharest ought to be setting the pace, but for now, we are lagging behind. We hope that with our projects, we can accelerate the pace of change.”
Although Bucharest’s Cycling Master Plan has been approved for a year now, the routes it outlines often risk being dropped from infrastructure projects, or are implemented incorrectly, for example through inadequate road markings.
Oana Turturică: “Bucharest’s Cycling Master Plan is a ‘living’ document that lays out a cycling infrastructure network covering both major and secondary streets. I call it ‘living’ because the network can be expanded whenever the City Hall reconfigures a street or a neighbourhood. It is essential for this plan not to stay merely on paper. We must speed up its implementation to encourage as many people as possible to leave their cars behind in favour of bicycles and intermodal transport.”
Transforming the city requires the courage to introduce a 30 km/h speed limit on streets where safety is the goal, as well as the decision to use existing, freely available data that maps over 500,000 kilometres of cycling routes used in Bucharest. But the successful implementation of these measures also depends on pressure from the community.
Oana Turturică: “The first step is civic engagement: reaching out to local authorities and political decision-makers to demand cycling infrastructure that connects people’s homes to their schools or workplaces. The second step is to discover and make use of public transport. Ideally, all those who favour alternative mobility should organise and join forces to call upon the administration to implement the necessary infrastructure.”
The future of urban mobility does not mean getting rid of cars, but rather integrating all modes of transport. The sustainable cities of the future will be those where administrative decisions encourage non-polluting options, and where clean air and safety become guaranteed standards for all citizens. (AMP)
