This year, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) will take part in the youth festival “Kopums” for the fifth consecutive year. The festival will take place on 12 August in Rēzekne. Visitors to the Ministry's stand will be invited to engage in the co-creation programme “Different Mobility. Safer. More Convenient. Greener”, aimed at promoting understanding of sustainable mobility, safe travel habits, and the role of European Union (EU) investments in the development of the transport sector.
“Young people are already shaping the mobility habits of the future, which is why it is important for us to maintain an open dialogue about safe, modern, and environmentally friendly mobility. The festival provides an excellent opportunity to hear young people's views on Latvia’s future transport system, as well as to learn what would motivate them to make greater use of different modes of transport, particularly public transport. We also want to highlight road safety issues, especially those related to micromobility devices, which are being used by young people more and more frequently,” says Elīna Šimiņa-Neverovska, Deputy State Secretary at the MoT.
According to Vivi study on passenger travel habits, 25% of all passengers are young people under the age of 24, indicating that a significant share of young people choose trains for their daily travel. At the same time, statistical data show that in recent years the number of children and young people injured or involved in accidents while using e-scooters and bicycles has increased by more than 60%. This is often linked to the non-use of protective helmets and insufficient knowledge of traffic regulations.
As part of the program “Different Mobility. Safer. More Convenient. Greener”, festival visitors will be able to participate in a variety of educational and entertaining activities designed to promote awareness of safe everyday mobility. By spinning a prize wheel, young people will have the opportunity to test their knowledge of traffic rules and the basic principles of safe travel, with the most knowledgeable participants receiving prizes.
Young people will also be able to try impairment simulation goggles, which safely demonstrate the negative effects of alcohol on coordination, reaction time, and decision-making. In addition, visitors will be able to learn more about EU-funded projects aimed at improving mobility for residents.
At Tent No. 5, titled “Different Mobility. Safer. More Convenient. Greener”, young people will have the chance to take photos in an AI-powered photo booth, which will create a unique mobility-themed image for each participant.
The Ministry of Transport’s participation in the festival is supported through European Union Technical Assistance co-financing.
