Our focus was sustainable mobility, and we are here to tell you more about it.
Even though we already knew that the Netherlands is far ahead in terms of sustainable mobility, we were still surprised by the efficiency of their cycle paths and transport systems in general.
Many of us are commuters, so we started by comparing our own “mobility routines”. Before going to the Netherlands, we worked in class to analyse and discuss the results of our observations on our local road systems, cycle paths, connections, and safety conditions.
During our Erasmus+ experience, we also wrote an article in which we described our personal experience and reflections. To better understand the differences between the two countries, we created a graph comparing the sustainability of transport in Italy and the Netherlands.
Once there, we finally had the chance to experience the Dutch way of living firsthand, which is definitely more sustainable than ours. We were committed to documenting our experience every single day through logbooks, interviews, pictures, and other materials. In particular, our diaries helped us tell the story of our experience in the Netherlands in a more personal and detailed way.
Let’s find out more!
The data highlight a clear difference between Italy and the Netherlands in how students travel to school. In the Netherlands, the vast majority of students (94%) go to school by bike, reflecting the country’s strong cycling culture, well-developed bike infrastructure, and emphasis on sustainable mobility. The remaining 6% prefer walking, and virtually no students rely on cars or buses.
In contrast, Italian students show a very different pattern: most of them (89%) travel by bus, indicating a heavier dependence on public transport. A smaller percentage (7%) go by car, while only 4% walk to school. These results suggest differences not only in infrastructure and urban planning, but also in lifestyle, habits, and environmental awareness between the two countries.