Public Authorities and the High School Student’s Community: Case Study for Sustainable Mobility with Bicycle

Smaragda Chrysoulaki

Hellenic-American Educational Foundation, Psychico College, Greece

Abstract: Nowadays we need to see urban development through a sustainable perspective. This perspective requires environmentally friendly transport options as well as human-centered and sustainable cities. Α sustainable city needs more pedestrians, more bicycles, more green areas and fewer cars. Students, with the support of public administration authorities, can be great advocates of bicycling as a principle mode of transport. For this reason, the writers of this study have taken the initiative to create a website and an online forum in order to promote sustainable mobility in Greek cities. Through this electronic platform students have started joining the “Students Community for Sustainable Mobility”. In collaboration with local authorities and societies, the Students’ Community will present its initiatives, exchange views, network, and share advice. This study aims to connect student communities with public administration authorities in order to promote sustainable mobility and student use of bicycles in Greek cities. This aim will be achieved if students who are interested in sustainable mobility join the online platform and network through Facebook. It is expected that this project will be the greatest goal ever achieved by the Students’ Community for Sustainable Mobility. Students who become members will participate in the European community “Do the right mix”, connect with other European members through Facebook, and alongside Greek municipalities, organize the promotion of environmentally friendly mobility around Greece. Members will also be in touch with local authorities and societies as well as other students in order to organize events, teleconferences and webinars that will promote the idea of sustainable mobility to every Greek school.

Key words: Facebook, sustainable transportation, Twitter, Vimeo