New Mobility Fest: Tomorrow, Katowice will switch to bicycles. The Congress on New Mobility kicks off on Wednesday!
In short:
Katowice will become the country’s cycling capital for two hours
The New Mobility Fest will take place tomorrow, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026
The event is free and open to residents
The New Mobility Congress starts already on Wednesday, September 23!
Katowice as the capital of electromobility
The date was not chosen by chance. September 22 is European Car-Free Day, which concludes the European Mobility Week (September 16–22) – the largest campaign by the European Commission to promote sustainable transportation.
This year’s edition is themed “Mobility for Everyone,” emphasizing accessibility and intergenerational equity: the belief that everyone in the city should be able to move around comfortably and safely—regardless of age, ability, or financial status. The Katowice ride is part of these celebrations and also kicks off a week of the most important discussions on transportation’s future in the region.
When and Where Will New Mobility Fest 2026 Take Place
Where to get a bike—free NextBike bikes available at the start
Who is sponsoring the ride
How the event connects to the 2026 New Mobility Congress
How to register and what to remember before heading out
The route—from the center of Katowice to the Muchowca forest clearing
The ride will start from the square in front of the September Scouts Monument in Katowice—a location that certainly needs no introduction to its residents. The finish line is set at Polana Katowicka in the Muchowiec Forest Park, near the parking lot at the intersection of Francuska Street 180, on the Katowice Walking Trail.
The route will pass through the city’s central area, offering a view of Katowice from the saddle—a perspective increasingly favored by residents of Polish urban areas. The finish in the city’s green spaces is intended to symbolically bring closure to the story of a city friendly to cyclists.
Participants will ride on bike lanes in regular traffic, so they must comply with road rules and the event organizers' instructions. Only individuals who are 16 years old or older may participate; younger cyclists must ride under the supervision of an adult.
NextBike Bikes – Equipment Available on Site
The most important news for those who want to join but don’t own a bike: city NextBike bikes will be available at the start point for free use. All that’s required is enthusiasm and prior registration, not a personal bike—this is an effort to ensure accessibility, which is the core theme of this year’s Mobility Week.
It’s worth knowing that in Katowice and the entire Silesian Metropolitan Area, NextBike is responsible for Metrorower – the largest public cycling system in Poland and the third largest in Europe. After full expansion, it includes 7,000 fourth-generation bikes and nearly 924 stations across 31 municipalities. Bikes are included in the GZM transportation fare structure on equal terms with trams and buses. The presence of these bikes at the New Mobility Fest highlights that shared mobility is often a daily means of transportation in the city, not just something for holidays.
Honorary Patronage – National Status
The entire project is under the honorary patronage of Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak. The ministry’s support gives this local crossing a national significance and integrates it into the broader policy of promoting active and sustainable mobility. It is a clear signal that the development of cycling infrastructure—alongside the electrification of transportation and the expansion of charging facilities—is regarded as a core component of transforming Polish mobility.
New Mobility Congress – What comes next after the cycling warm-up?
The New Mobility Fest is an accompanying event to the New Mobility Congress (KNM) 2026, which will take place from September 23–25 at the International Congress Center in Katowice. This year’s anniversary edition coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Polish New Mobility Association and is organized in collaboration with the Silesian Metropolitan Region under the theme “All Directions of Transformation.”
This is the largest conference and EXPO in Central and Eastern Europe dedicated to new mobility: around 570 speakers, nearly 250 thematic sessions, and 12,000 m² of exhibition space spread across eight thematic tracks and twelve stages.
The program will cover topics such as clean transportation, urban innovation, and active mobility. It also features the launch of the Kompas 2035 strategy for Poland’s automotive industry and the latest edition of the “Polish EV Outlook 2026” report. The cycling event on September 22 serves as an invitation to experience firsthand what this transformation is all about before the conference’s substantive sessions begin.
Registration – How to Join Step by Step
Participation in the ride is free, but requires prior registration through the form on the event page: kongresnowejmobilnosci.pl/new-mobility-fest. It’s advisable to review the Bicycle Ride Rules before signing up. During registration, participants provide their contact details and emergency contact information, as well as a statement confirming they are in good health to participate safely. The event is organized by the Polish Association for New Mobility; organizational questions can be sent to biuro@kongresnowejmobilnosci.pl.
For those who want to actively kick off the “Week of New Mobility,” this is the perfect warm-up: get on a bike, see the city from a new perspective, and join the growing community of advocates for sustainable transportation—before experts from across Europe gather in Katowice’s MCK to discuss its future.
Source: PSNM