24 organisations join forces for sustainable mobility in Utrecht East

With this commitment, Pledge 2.0 (2026–2030), the organisations built on a successful first collaboration, Pledge 2022–2025. In an area that was growing rapidly, the organisations positioned sustainable mobility as the new normal. Together, they aimed for 18% less car use, 9% more public transport use, 10% more cycling, and a 7% reduction in peak-time congestion.

Provincial Executive Andre van Schie (Province of Utrecht; Mobility, Economy and Digitalisation):
Utrecht East was growing, and with that came increasing pressure on accessibility and quality of stay. With Pledge 2.0, employers and governments demonstrated that this challenge could be tackled together. By making smart travel choices easy and accessible, we kept Utrecht East and the Utrecht Science Park sustainably accessible in a healthy way.

New partners strengthened the movement

Utrecht East was growing rapidly in terms of jobs, students, and visitors. This called for smart choices in mobility. Six organisations signed the pledge for the first time that year: Danone Global Research & Innovation Center Utrecht, RIVM, EY, International School Utrecht, Plus Retail, and the Province of Utrecht as an employer. They strengthened a growing network of partners committed to a reachable, liveable, and sustainable Utrecht East, and to a stronger region.

Director of International School Utrecht, Marieke Folkers:
“As a future resident of the Utrecht Science Park (from the 2027–2028 school year), we looked forward to working with the other partners in the field of sustainable mobility. Our staff received 100% reimbursement of their public transport costs, and there were attractive schemes for the purchase or lease of an (electric) bicycle. In addition, we committed to raising awareness of sustainable mobility among our students and their parents. We looked forward to further shaping this in collaboration with the partners at the Utrecht Science Park.”

Results of the earlier Pledge: behaviour truly changed

The first Pledge (2022–2025) had demonstrable impact. Over three years, 18 participating organisations collectively achieved:

• 30% increase in cycling
• 20% increase in working from home (including avoiding peak hours, which helped keep the area accessible)
• 17% reduction in car use

These figures showed that shared ambition and collaboration genuinely led to lasting behavioural change. At the same time, the challenge remained significant. Due to growth in living, working, and studying in Utrecht East, pressure on public transport and cycling infrastructure continued to increase. Smartly spreading travel across the day and week therefore remained a key challenge for the years ahead.

Chair of the Executive Board of HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Wilma Scholte op Reimer:
“As an organisation, we had been committed for some time to making mobility smarter and more sustainable. For example, to encourage cycling, HU employees could benefit from a fiscally attractive bicycle scheme that stimulated the purchase of (electric) bicycles, and we offered a loan system for e-bikes and bicycles. These are examples of how we contributed to a liveable and accessible region. With the Pledge, we joined forces, now with 24 partners, to further realise this ambition.”

Continuing to build together towards a future-proof Utrecht East

With the area ambition Pledge 2.0, the participating organisations continued their collaboration and strengthened it with new partners. As a result, the coalition grew and continued to work together in the coming years towards a reachable, liveable, and vibrant Utrecht East. Each year, the ambitions were translated into action through a joint implementation agenda, with concrete measures across shared themes.

Hommo Hamster, Head of Area Development & Campus Management, Utrecht University:
“As Utrecht University and area owner of the Utrecht Science Park, we felt and took responsibility for accessibility and liveability in Utrecht East. By actively supporting staff and students in more sustainable travel behaviour, we made noticeable progress in recent years and demonstrated that targeted measures and incentives had real impact. With Pledge 2.0, we consciously chose to further strengthen this approach together.”

All participating parties were: a.s.r., Danone Global Research & Innovation Center Utrecht, EY, Genmab, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Hubrecht Institute, International School Utrecht, Plus Retail, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Province of Utrecht (as employer), PwC, RIVM, ROM Utrecht Region, Stichting Kantorenpark Rijnsweerd, Stichting Utrecht Science Park, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, Van Benthem & Keulen, and Westerdijk Institute. They were supported by: Municipality of Utrecht, Goedopweg, NS, Province of Utrecht, and public transport operator U-OV.

Photographer: Rob ter Bekke. Organisations in Utrecht East sign new pledge 2026–2030