This article covers:
How bike-sharing is a common solution in cities of all sizes.
Why time-saving is a key benefit of sustainable mobility.
What’s next for MOL Bubi in Zugló.
This June, we had the opportunity to participate as youth ambassadors representing the Municipality of Zugló in the first international workshop of the CLYMACT project, hosted by the Municipality of Mislata in Spain. Alongside young participants from Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Spain, we dove deep into the topic of sustainable mobility through workshops, discussions, and interactive sessions.
What struck me most throughout the three days was how, despite coming from very different urban environments, we all shared a surprisingly familiar solution: bike-sharing systems.
Some of us live in capital cities or major urban centres, others in surrounding suburban areas, and a few came from smaller towns with only 10,000 or fewer residents. Yet bike-sharing programs were present across all these contexts — whether in a town near Athens, the outskirts of Bologna, a village outside Split, or Basque and Valencian cities.
This raised a powerful question: What makes bike-sharing so universal in sustainable urban mobility strategies, regardless of local scale, climate, or geography?
The answer lies in the simplicity and versatility of bike-sharing. These systems are accessible, low-emission, space-efficient, and highly adaptable to different urban environments. They offer a flexible alternative to short car trips, complement public transport by solving the “last mile” problem, and can be a competitive mode of urban transportation.
But there’s another important reason why these systems are becoming a go-to policy tool: they save people time.
In fact, this is exactly what I explored in my thesis, which analysed Budapest’s MOL Bubi bike-sharing system. I compared bike trips to equivalent journeys using public transport and found that in the most optimal scenarios, users collectively saved tens of thousands of hours. That’s not just a personal benefit — it represents a meaningful improvement in urban efficiency, quality of life, and social wellbeing.
When we discuss sustainability, the focus often lies on environmental or economic factors. Yet time — our most finite resource — matters just as much. Bike-sharing helps reclaim time while also reducing emissions, easing congestion, and promoting healthier lifestyles.
At the CLYMACT workshop, we didn’t just talk about mobility — we experienced it. Each of us returned home with new perspectives, new friendships, and a shared belief in practical, human-centred solutions. It’s exciting to think that something as simple as a shared bicycle can connect such different places and people, one ride at a time.
Although Budapest’s MOL Bubi system currently covers Zugló only moderately, this will soon change. A next-generation expansion planned for 2026 promises significantly broader coverage. A much wider range of Zugló residents will be able to pick up or drop off the city’s iconic apple-green bikes near their homes, making sustainable mobility a real and convenient option in even more neighbourhoods.
[1] Find your track. [2] Join our online info session. [3] Apply!
This track provides aspiring diplomats and those interested in international public servants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills essential for a successful career in international relations. Participants will engage in workshops on diplomatic protocol, cultural diplomacy, and science diplomacy, alongside visits to embassies and relevant international organisations. These activities offer hands-on experience and insights into diplomatic practices and international development, helping participants develop the necessary skills and network to excel within international organisations.
Aspiring diplomats – International relations enthusiasts interested in careers in diplomacy, international development, and global cooperation.
International public servants – Students and young professionals interested in pursuing a career at an international organisation like the United Nations, UNESCO, UNHCR, or UNICEF, for example, without necessarily wanting to be a diplomat (i.e. remaining independent of any single nation’s government). Interests may include advancing global peace, international development, and human rights.
[1] Find your track. [2] Join our online info session. [3] Apply!
This track equips aspiring public servants and NGO leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary for impactful community work. Participants will attend workshops on introduction to nonprofit management and civic engagement, effective altruism, social innovation, design thinking, community engagement, and fundraising. Additionally, visits to local NGOs and municipalities will provide practical insights into the functioning and challenges of civic organizations. This track aims to foster effective leadership and innovative thinking in addressing social issues.
(Aspiring) public servants – Students and young professionals who work, or aspire to work, in government departments or local municipalities in their country, and who seek to enhance their skills, network, effectiveness in public administration and ability to improve their communities.
(Aspiring) non-profit founders – Passionate individuals interested in creating and leading non-profit organisations focused on addressing social and environmental issues.
Young changemakers and community organisers – Young leaders dedicated to mobilising communities and fostering grassroots movements to drive social change. This includes environmental advocates committed to promoting sustainable practices and policies to combat environmental issues.
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Produce written or verbal content that is clear and persuasive for our target audience for various platforms in a way that is consistent with our brand strategy and voice (articles, blogs, podcasts, newsletter texts, etc.).
Assist with the development of creative ideas and concepts for advertising, social
media, or crowdfunding campaigns.
Help drive brand consistency across all communication platforms
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
