Mobility & Pollution

Air quality in Brussels is a real public health issue. Citizens have also brought legal action against the regional government. They asked the Court of Federal Instance to oblige the authorities to draw up a plan to combat air pollution in accordance with European rules.
TAO-AFI has asked the Commission to intervene with the Brussels Region to comply with pollution standards and to encourage staff to use bicycles and public transport by establishing the bicycle allowance and the total reimbursment of the public transport subscription.
The Commission's next mobility plan and the creation of 80 km of protected bike paths in Brussels should take account of our proposals.

VELOMAI AND EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY OF OUR STAFF
As on previous occasions, this is a good opportunity to promote sustainable transport initiatives in a friendly way at an institutional level. We salute this initiative as in the previous years, and do invite colleagues to participate. It will run till 31 May, and this year’s theme is ‘Cycling for Peace’ and supporting Ukraine.

COMMISSION WILL SOON PRESENT IT'S NEW MOBILITY PLAN
To be edited

AIR QUALITY IN THE EUROPEAN QUARTER
Measurement campaign carried out by Commission personnel.
TAO-AFI has just concluded a project on measuring the pollution in Schuman area and surroundings together with the ONG BRAL. Colleagues have volunteered to measure pollution from home to work, in the Schuman area, using different means of transport.

VELO MAI CHALLENGE 2018
Since 18 May, the European institutions organise "Vélo-Mai", an inter-institutional competition focussed on commuting by bicycle until 15 June 2018. TAO-AFI, the Commission Association of Independent Officials encourages the colleagues who participate in this challenge, and congratulates them already for their efforts.

POLLUTION : WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
TAO-AFI has addressed the issue of Brussels air quality and publicly requested our authorities to take responsibility for their political engagements and to comply with the existing rules. Now we would like to turn to what is fully within our reach, which is : to be informed, and consequently take small actions relevant for all.

TAO-AFI IN SUPPORT OF CYCLISTS WORKING AT THE EU INSTITUTIONS
TAO-AFI, The Association of Independent Officials welcomes "Vélo-Mai", organised by DG HR. We believe that motivating people to take their bikes to commute as daily transport offers a solution to the problems Brussels is facing. Congestion and pollution are suffocating this city, and this is highly visible in the European quarter.

POLLUTION, TRAFFIC BOTTLENECKS. IT'S TIME TO ACT
TOTAL REFUND OF THE TRAIN, TRAM, METRO AND BICYCLE ALLOWANCE.
Brussels has become one of the most congested city on the planet and the air quality is very bad. By way of example, fine particles emitted by diesel and petrol engines alone already exceed the World Health Organisation threshold by 80%!