The Future of Sustainable Mobility,from Portugal to the World

Around two hundred participants are expected at the event

“The future of sustainable mobility, from Portugal to the world” is the theme of the conference that will take place on December 10 and 11 at the Port of Leixões Cruise Terminal, promoted by the Mobilizing Agenda for Business Innovation in the Two-Wheeler Sector (AM2R).

Organized by AM2R’s Technical-Scientific Committee, this two-day conference will bring together experts, researchers and professionals from the sector to debate the challenges and opportunities in the area of sustainable mobility, with a focus on technological innovation and environmental sustainability.

The opening session is scheduled for 9 a.m. and will feature speeches by Pedro Araújo, from Polisport Plásticos (leader of the AM2R Consortium); Ana Reis, from the Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering (INEGI); Gil Nadais, secretary-general of the National Association of the Two-Wheel, Hardware, Furniture and Complementary Activities Industries of the Sectors Represented (ABIMOTA) and executive director of the Bike Value Innovation Center – Association (BIKiNNOV); and a member of the government (to be confirmed).

Manuel Marsilio, president of CONEBI – the European Bicycle Industry Confederation, will also be present, taking part in one of the program’s round tables.

Topics to be discussed include innovation in metals and surface treatment; the role of batteries in the electrification of the two-wheel sector; textiles and plastics of the future in the mobility sector; sustainability: challenges and opportunities in the two-wheel sector; digitalization and logistics challenges; and synergies between the Non-Business Entities of the Research and Innovation System (ENESII) and industry.

It should be noted that this conference is taking place at a time when, according to recent figures released by Eurostat, Portugal continues to lead in bicycle production in the European Union, with 1.8 million units produced in 2023, representing 18.6% of total EU production.

Pedro Araújo, leader of the AM2R consortium, said: “This conference is an important opportunity for us to discuss the future of sustainable mobility and showcase the progress of our agenda and the new products developed by the consortium members.”

Ana Reis, representing the AM2R Scientific Committee, said: “The AM2R conference will be a privileged space for sharing knowledge and experiences on innovation in the two-wheel sector.”

Those interested in taking part should register on the AM2R website, where useful information about the event can be found.

About AM2R
AM2R is an initiative that aims to transform the national production profile in the two-wheel sector, increasing competitiveness, achieving independence from the Asian market and promoting the creation of a 100% Portuguese bicycle.

The agenda has so far achieved an execution rate of close to 60%. It is made up of 47 co-promoters, including 38 companies, two universities, a polytechnic institute, five Technology and Innovation Centers (CTIs) and an association, ABIMOTA.

AM2R is co-financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and is led by Polisport Plásticos, with ABIMOTA as its managing body.

Under this agenda, 1114 jobs will be created, 238 of which are skilled. Total post-project sales are estimated at 336 million euros, with an export rate of 73%.