Bologna picks up prize for bid to keep cars off streets

(BRUSSELS) - The Italian city of Bologna's bid to cut pollution by keeping cars off streets saw it handed a top EU award Monday, with Lanarca in Cyprus and the Croatian capital Zagreb named the runners-up.

The EU executive handed Bologna the 2011 European Mobility Week award for organising a car-free weekend -- rather than just a day -- as well as providing charging points for electric cars and planning to extend the city's network of cycling paths.

"With cities and their citizens increasingly suffering from congestion and pollution, there has never been a better time to switch from private cars to other means of transport," said Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik.

European Mobility Week Award 2011