The use of ecological means of transport in the Olympic area is one of the environmental measures planned by Madrid’s candidature for 2012 Games in order to host the first Olympic Games where the crowd do not need their private vehicle, according to Antonio Lucio, person responsible for Environment of Madrid 2012. Moreover, to achieve this goal, ‘the non-motorized movements will be first since lanes for bikes and sidewalks will be built, in order to be pedestrians and sportsmen more prominent,’ according to the sustainable development plan of Madrid 2012.

The initiative tries to achieve a ‘sustainable development’ both for ‘athletes, and for spectators or press’ with a wide range of proposals, ranging from the use of transports and ecological fuels to a ‘mesh’ for the bike lane that will join the different Olympic venues. This way there will be a big ‘net’ of bike lanes, which is to be finished by 2006, explained Lucio. Moreover, this net of bike lanes will be connected too, on the one hand, to the ‘cattle track’ which will serve as ‘Olympic Cattle track network’ for leisure and sport activities and, on the other hand, to a ‘smaller arterial net which will enter the city’ and will be useful to open the city to the use of bikes.

Lucio said that the guidelines for a sustainable transport are being determined and explained that, in these plans, the transport that already exists plus an additional one that is going to be created will be essential, and the use of ‘the most ecological fuels possible’ will be their priority, being the renewable ones first priority, such as ‘biofuels’. Regarding the use of hydrogen, the idea is to use it as pilot experience using the most advanced technologies in order to obtain renewable sources such as light, he said.

Lucio also highlighted the importance that taxis will acquire, they ‘will have to improve their environmental aspects’ and ‘turn into ecological fuels.’ Therefore, from Madrid’s candidature will suggest that the companies linked to the project as sponsors boost a change in their fleets of vehicles in order that the prevailing aspects are the environmental ones and the use of less pollutant fuels.

For more details contact:

Press Office
Madrid 2012
34 – 917 40 12 12
prensa@madrid2012.es