24 partners at Utrecht Science Park signed a pledge to support sustainable mobility

Pledge sustainable mobility Utrecht Science Park

Community

20-01-2026

On 19 January 2026, 24 large organisations from Utrecht Science Park and the Rijnsweerd office area signed a joint pledge. Although we are only moving to our permanent campus in 2027, our Head of School, Ms Marieke Folkers, found it really import to sign the pledge supporting sustainable mobility at Utrecht Science Park.

By Ingrid Schmoutziguer, Communications Advisor; picture: Rob ter Bekke

With this pledge, the partners commit to making travel more sustainable, encouraging more walking and cycling, increasing the use of public transport and structurally reducing congestion during peak hours.

Building on success

With this new agreement, Pledge 2.0 (2026 to 2030), the organisations build on a successful first collaboration, Pledge 2022 to 2025. In a rapidly growing area, they aim to make sustainable mobility the new normal. Together, they are working towards:

18 percent less car use;
9 percent more use of public transport;
10 percent more cycling and
7 percent less pressure during peak times.

New partners

Utrecht East is growing fast in jobs, students and visitors. This calls for smart mobility choices. Six organisations signed the pledge for the first time this year: Danone Global Research and Innovation Center Utrecht, RIVM, EY, International School Utrecht, Plus Retail and the Province of Utrecht as an employer. They strengthen a growing network of partners working towards an accessible, liveable and sustainable Utrecht East, and a stronger region.

Raising awareness

Marieke Folkers, Head of School says: “As a future member of the Utrecht Science Park from the 2027 to 2028 school year, we look forward to working with other partners on sustainable mobility. Our staff receive full reimbursement of public transport costs, and there are attractive schemes for buying or leasing a bicycle, including electric bicycles. We are also committed to raising awareness of sustainable mobility among our students and their parents. We look forward to developing this further together with our partners at the Utrecht Science Park.”

Head of School Marieke Folkers signing pledge for sustainable mobility

Real change in behaviour

The first Pledge (2022 to 2025) had a clear impact. Over three years, the 18 participating organisations achieved the following results together:

30 percent more cycling;
20 percent more working from home (including avoiding peak hours, which helped keep the area accessible);
17 percent less car use.

These figures show that shared ambition and cooperation can lead to lasting change in behaviour. At the same time, the challenge remains significant. As living, working and studying in Utrecht East continue to grow, pressure on public transport and cycling facilities is increasing. Spreading travel more evenly across the day and the week will remain an important task in the coming years.

Working together

With Pledge 2.0, the participating organisations continue and strengthen their collaboration, together with new partners. In this way, the coalition will keep working in the coming years on an accessible, liveable and healthy Utrecht East. Each year, the ambitions are turned into action through a shared implementation plan, with concrete measures around common themes.

Participants

a.s.r.
Danone Global Research & Innovation Center Utrecht
EY
Genmab
Hogeschool Utrecht
Hubrecht Institute
International School Utrecht,
Plus Retail
Prinses Máxima Centrum voor kinderoncologie
Provincie Utrecht (employer)
PwC
RIVM
ROM Utrecht Region
Stichting Kantorenpark Rijnsweerd
Stichting Utrecht Science Park
UMC Utrecht
Universiteit Utrecht
Van Benthem & Keulen
Westerdijk Institute

With support from:

Gemeente Utrecht
Goedopweg
NS
provincie Utrecht
vervoerder U-OV

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