EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK is the European Commission’s flagship awareness-raising campaign on sustainable urban mobility. Held annually from the 16th-22nd September, it promotes behavioural change in favour of active mobility, public transport, and other clean, intelligent transport solutions.
The 2025 theme “Mobility for All” highlights the importance of inclusive and accessible transport systems.
EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK | Theme 2025
Use the TFI journey Planner / TFI Live App to plan your route.
Car free
The European Mobility Week 2025 will take place from 16 to 22 September 2025, culminating in the popular Car-Free Day.
There is no better day than the World Car Free Day to hop on public transport to get from A to B, leaving the Car at home – (or get walking or cycling)!
European Mobility Week culminates on Monday 22nd September with Car Free Day. Cities and towns around the world celebrate World Car Free Day by opening up their streets to active and sustainable modes of transport.
Some cities may feature the Car-free day on the preceding Friday or Saturday, for increased impact.
Car Free Day highlights the numerous benefits of going car free to citizens including reduced air pollution and the promotion of walking and cycling in a safer environment.
Information on participating towns and cities in Ireland and events they have planned can be found here Participating towns and cities.
The overarching theme of “Mobility for Everyone“, which aims to promote sustainable urban mobility and encourage behavioral change towards active mobility and public transport. Local authorities are encouraged to use this week to implement innovative planning measures and gather public feedback.
Background of Car Free Zone
Car Free Day is hosted as the culmination to European Mobility Week, an annual event by the European Commission for Sustainable Urban Mobility. Each year there is a different theme and this year is focusing on designated spaces for citizens to congregate and enjoy their environment in a more community focused and sustainable way. With 70% of Europeans living in urban areas, Car Free Day is encouraging the conversations and demonstrations on the importance of cultivating these spaces within our urban environments.
Check below for details of Cork, Waterford, and Dublin (including Finglas) actvities and events
- Cork: Car-free Cork: Friday 19th September 5pm -10pm
- 19th September: Open Streets Culture Night
Waterford organises activities during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK , taking into account the annual theme.
- City Bus Day Out: ‘Take the Bus, Explore The City (20 Sep)
- Bus It for City Bus Day – Waterford City & County Council
- Car-free day: (21, 22 Sep) Waterford Tramore carries out a Car-free day and closes off one or more streets to traffic, and opens it to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
- Cycle Tours around Tramore (20, 21 Sep)
- Spins on WSP Trishaw, Tramore (20, 21 Sep)
- Cycle to work week (16-22 Sep)
- Park the Car at Carriganore (Greenway) car park and cycle the Greenway to the city for work.
Dublin
- Fingal is organising:
- Thornleigh ETNS School Street 16-22 Sep
- Ballisk One Way Street Trial 16-22 Sep
- Dublin city-wide 25 Play Streets Sunday 21st September 1pm to 4pm
- Dublin City Council Commemorates 25 Years of Car Free Day with Launch of 25 Play Streets Initiative Citywide
European mobility week participation
Waterford
Waterford organises activities during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK , taking into account the annual theme.
- As part of the run-up to Car-Free Day, Waterford City & County Council is hosting a CITY BUS DAY OUT on Saturday Sept 20th.
- City Bus Day Out: ‘Take the Bus, Explore The City (20 Sep)
- Bus It for City Bus Day – Waterford City & County Council
- On Saturday, September 20th, Waterford City and County Council’s Climate Action Team and Bus Eireann are asking everyone to take the bus as part of European Mobility Week.
- Bus passengers will be in for a surprise as their bus could have quizzes and games to win prizes. 10 community groups across the city were successful in winning LEAP cards for their community and will be taking to the buses for the day to explore and enjoy the city.
- EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK | Waterford events
- Cycle Tours around Tramore (20, 21 Sep)
- Spins on WSP Trishaw, Tramore (20, 21 Sep)
- Cycle to work week (16-22 Sep)
- Park the Car at Carriganore (Greenway) car park and cycle the Greenway to the city for work.
- Car-free day: (21, 22 Sep) Waterford Tramore carries out a Car-free day and closes off one or more streets to traffic, and opens it to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
- Closing the lower Prom in Tramore for two days
Cork
- Cork: Car-free Cork: Friday 19th September 5pm -10pm city centre roads to be closed off to private traffic.
- EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK | Cork
Cork carries out a Car-free day and closes off one or more streets to traffic, and opens it to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
- Also in Cork – co-inciding with European Mobility week, is Culture Night,
19th September: Open Streets Culture Night
A night of culture in the city, with different events taking place from walking tours, exhibitions, performances, play events and sports.
Fingal:
- Thornleigh ETNS School Street | 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 September
- Installation of a trial school street where the road space out side the school will be closed to through traffic at the drop off and collection times for the school. The initiative aims to improve road safety and the overall environment around the school.
- Ballisk One Way Street Trial | 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 September
- Reallocation of existing road space to make more room for students walking and or cycling to school. The purpose of the trial is to improve road safety around the schools campus while also promoting the shift to more sustainable transport.
- Dublin City Council Commemorates 25 Years of Car Free Day with Launch of 25 Play Streets Initiative Citywide
- Sunday 21st September 1pm to 4pm
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Dublin Celebrates 25 Years of Car Free Day with 25+ Play Streets Across the City
To mark the 25th anniversary of Car Free Day, Dublin City Council is proud to launch 26 Play Streets across the city—transforming neighbourhoods into vibrant, traffic-free zones where children and families can play, connect, and celebrate community life.
The initiative was officially launched by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, on Harold’s Road in Stoneybatter, Dublin 7.
What to Expect
On Sunday 21st September, from 1pm to 4pm, 26 streets across Dublin will be temporarily closed to traffic, giving residents the chance to enjoy:
- Safe outdoor play for children
- Neighbourhood-led activities
- A chance to meet and connect with neighbours
- A celebration of sustainable, people-first urban spaces
Where It’s Happening
Here are the streets participating in Play Streets 2025:
Dublin 7
- Annaly Road
- Cabra Drive (Northern & Southern Sections)
- Great Western Villas
- Fontenoy Street
- St Ignatius Road
- Ellesmere Avenue
- Shandon Drive
- Harold Road
- Norfolk Road
Dublin 9
- St Brigid’s Road Lower
- St David’s Terrace
Dublin 17
Dublin 3
- Haverty Road
- Melrose Avenue
Dublin 6
- Wasdale Park
- Church Gardens
Dublin 8
- Sandford Avenue
- Donore Road
- Swifts Alley
- Garden Lane
- Margaret Kennedy Road
- Gray Street
- Bulfin Gardens
- Mountshannon Road, Mayfield Road & Maddison Roads
- Warren Street
- Ovoca Road
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