Cycle4Climate Study Trip in Gdansk and Gdynia (16th–18th February 2026)
In February 2026, the Cycle4Climate project traveled to Gdansk and Gdynia, Poland to visit two ongoing EU projects SPINE and BATS. As all the projects tackle different areas of sustainable mobility the trip offered a unique opportunity to share ideas, where data, experiences.
Day One: Learning from BATS at Gdańsk University of Technology
The first stop was Gdańsk University of Technology, where we discovered how the BATS project is working to keep people walking and cycling throughout the year, even in the depths of winter. BATS’ Project Manager Paweł Kimel shared different interventions done in the project: winter tyre installation workshops, e-bike lending schemes, eye-catching cycling signage using projection lights, and local winter agents who inspire active mobility through social media.
Konrad Buszko introduced us to the BATS’ simulation work. The simulations show that weather conditions significantly influence the behaviour of all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Active mobility users are particularly vulnerable to adverse weather such as rain, snow, and heat. The project also examined traffic signal control strategies, finding that conventional approaches are typically optimised for motorised traffic, while pedestrian and cyclist phases are often treated as secondary. However, simulation-based analyses and surrogate safety measures indicate that signal adjustments can improve both efficiency and safety, especially for vulnerable road users in challenging weather conditions.
We also gained insights from Daniel Kaszubowski into the BATS monitoring and evaluation framework. The approach emphasises starting with one or two core indicators, using data that is already available or realistically collectable, and building a comprehensive monitoring system from this foundation. Crucially, the framework encourages teams to think carefully about what they are trying to change, what might get in the way, and how external factors like weather and daylight could affect the results.
The day wrapped up with presentations from the Cycle4Climate project itself. Karl Samuelsson gave an overview of the project and, together with Veronika Mooses, presented findings from the travel survey carried out across the project cities. According to the results, relatively few respondents use cycling as their main mode of transport, with cars and multimodal travel being more common choices. Winter conditions present a significant barrier to year-round cycling. While the main motivations for cycling are personal, particularly health and enjoyment, shifting away from car use is often limited by practical considerations such as time savings and the need to transport items or people.
Elise Jalonen presented research on how ready car users are to switch to cycling. Drawing on the Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM), the findings revealed that readiness to change is shaped by a surprisingly narrow set of factors: environmental concern and good physical health both play a meaningful role, while things like education level, caring responsibilities, and travel satisfaction matter far less than one might expect. Understanding what actually drives behavioural change can help cities design more targeted and effective interventions.
Zita Tedjokusuvo and Emīls Rode gave a talk on interventions and behavioural design for cycling. The project’s living lab approach reinforces the importance of targeting the right groups and maintaining a genuine feedback loop with citizens. Local engagement and partnership building has proven to be time-intensive, underlining the value of investing in relationships early. Looking ahead, the key challenges will be sustaining city-university collaboration beyond the project’s lifetime and ensuring this work is understood as part of broader urban development rather than a standalone initiative.
Day Two: Into Gdynia and the SPINE Project
On the second day we headed to the neighbouring city, Gdynia, where we started the day by exploring the SPINE project’s plans to transform the city centre into a more walking and cycling friendly environment. Alicja Pawłowska guided us through the plans, and later we also visited the city’s traffic management centre to see real-time traffic monitoring in action.
This time Konrad Buszko offered a fascinating look at the practical complexities behind calculating transport emissions. Measuring real-world emissions is far from straightforward: even vehicles that meet official standards perform very differently depending on actual traffic conditions, meaning that laboratory test results and real-world figures can diverge significantly. Understanding these gaps is essential for cities working to set realistic targets and track genuine progress on transport-related emissions.
Agata Ludwiczak presented BATS’ creative approaches to promoting sustainable mobility in kindergartens and primary schools. The campaign was launched by the mayor and head of education, who invited all institutions to participate. Schools received a poster with a tree, and children travelling by active modes could add a leaf sticker each day, creating friendly competition among pupils. The campaign also included an ecological theatre performance for participating schools and preschools.
The visit concluded with Cycle4Climate cities Gävle, Espoo, Riga, and Pärnu sharing updates on their interventions. Espoo has organised events promoting year-round cycling, including maintenance training and workshops for employers to support bike commuting. Riga has focused on an influencer campaign and improved bicycle storage, while Pärnu marked the opening of a remodelled street and organised a cycling tour on Pärnu Day. Gävle engages residents through a bike-to-wellbeing challenge. Together, the updates illustrate how each city is pursuing the shared goal of promoting active mobility.
The two days left us full of inspiration. It’s encouraging to see how different projects, each tackling their own piece of the sustainable mobility puzzle, can come together and learn from one another.
