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» European Greenways Award Ceremony

Created in 2003 by the European Greenways Association and the French Ministry for Youth, Sport and Associations, the European Greenways Award compensates organisations from a European Union Member State that have made an exemplary contribution to the development of a greenway.

 

Greenways are autonomous communication routes reserved for pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders, persons with limited mobility, or in general to non-motorised traffic. They are most often developed along abandoned railway rail lines, towpaths or cultural itineraries. Greenways offer a safe and ecological alternative to motorised road traffic. Found throughout Europe, greenways are also known as voies vertes and vías verdes. They are promoted by the European Greenways Association, which also provides information to European policy makers.

 

Two categories are open to candidates vying for the second European Greenways Award:

 

• The Daily Mobility Award, which compensates actions best reflecting the theme of European Mobility Week 2005, "Clever Commuting-Au travail autrement!"

• The Activities and Promotion Award (three prizes), which will be presented for initiatives that contribute at the local and international levels to furthering the importance of greenways both socially and for tourism.

The winners, whose ranking has not yet been unveiled, are:

 

• Flitchway Country Park, Essex County Council, Essex, United Kingdom

• Vía Verde de la Sierra, Fundación Vía Verde de la Sierra, Andalusia, Spain

• Klarälvsbanan Greenway, Klarälvsbanans Utvecklinsgrupp, Development Group, Sweden

• Voie verte des Hautes Vosges, Syndicat mixte de la voie verte de la Moselotte, Vosges,
   France

 

The jury will also present special mentions to several candidates.

 

The awards will be presented on 21 October 2005 at 12.00 at the "Grand Palais" in Lille, in the presence of Mrs Nelly Olin, French Minister for Ecology and Sustainable Development (subject to alteration). The presentation will follow the "Golden Bikes" ceremony organised by the Cycling Towns Club for its 16th congress.(http://www.villes-cyclables.org/2003b/news/2005/congres.htm)