Move on: end-of-project event

Conclusion of the Move On project: soft mobility and new challenges for the Olona Valley

The Province of Varese recently took stock of the Move On – Light Mobility in Valle Olona project at a conference held in Cairate dedicated to soft mobility and future prospects for the area. The meeting was attended by local administrators, technicians, researchers and representatives of associations, who were committed to outlining the results achieved and the strategic directions to be pursued even after the official conclusion of the project.

The Move On project, together with other initiatives such as Ti ciclo via and the broader Bike&Walk programme, has promoted an integrated approach to sustainable mobility, combining the creation of new cycle and pedestrian infrastructure with processes of listening and local participation. In this context, EStà – Economia & Sostenibilità (Economy & Sustainability) carried out an analysis of the reasons why people do not use bicycles to travel to work or school, while identifying possible infrastructure developments and actions that could encourage bicycle use.

The project partners included the University of Insubria, the Polytechnic University of Milan and the Province of Varese, which collaborated to integrate academic, technical and local expertise, ensuring a multidisciplinary and scientifically sound approach.

One concrete result already visible is the progress made on the provincial cycle and pedestrian path connecting various municipalities along the Olona Valley, with sections that will allow cyclists and pedestrians to travel along strategic routes from Castiglione Olona to Castellanza and beyond. This corridor not only enhances the area but also connects the local network to major regional and national cycle and pedestrian routes.

During the conference, as emerged during the speeches, the importance of continuing to work in an integrated manner was emphasised, strengthening not only infrastructure but also integration with public transport services, tourism policies and local development strategies. The discussion highlighted how light mobility can be a driving force for quality of life, urban safety, sustainable tourism and the regeneration of natural landscapes.

For EStà, the conclusion of the project represents an important moment of assessment, but also a relaunch towards new challenges. The analysis carried out and the recommendations that emerged provide a solid basis for continuing to promote integrated and sustainable mobility models that combine social well-being, territorial regeneration and economic development.