How can we better coexist in shared public spaces? This is the question Zavarovalnica Triglav posed during the 23rd European Mobility Week, one of Europe’s most prominent campaigns promoting the shift towards more sustainable forms of mobility. At the Micromobility Junction in Preska near Medvode, which will also be set up in Celje on Saturday, Triglav created a mock city centre, collaborating with participants to explore solutions for safer urban mobility. In Koper, driving refreshers were organised to brush up on driving skills with driving “giants” – older drivers with years of experience who may need to learn more about negotiating roads with new forms of mobility, as well as the advanced safety features of their cars. In Maribor, a new MBajk bike rental station was opened in partnership with the local municipality, while in Kranj, an e-scooter simulator was introduced to teach primary and secondary school students about the importance of safe and responsible micromobility.
Slovenia’s largest insurance company views safer mobility as a long-term commitment It supports drivers across all forms of transport throughout their entire lives. As the electrification of micromobility – while advancing the sustainable transition and the efficient use of urban space – has also increased certain traffic risks, Zavarovalnica Triglav is actively raising awareness on this issue. To address it, the company set up the first Micromobility Junction a year and a half ago. Within this space, designed to replicate a small city centre, it is possible to explore the coexistence of various modes of transport, helping people to better understand the situations that can lead to collisions and accidents.
Different fears, common ground
A survey conducted by Zavarovalnica Triglav among users of e-scooters and e-bikes showed that only around half of them feel safe when riding an e-scooter, and a third of e-scooter users have been involved in an accident. Only one in four users always wears a helmet when riding an e-scooter, although almost two thirds believe that helmets should be compulsory for everyone, at all times.
“In our survey of more than 800 e-bike and e-scooter users, we found that younger and older riders have different concerns. While 85% of younger cyclists worry about causing harm to others, such as a child running into the road, older riders are more anxious about their ability to handle the challenges of traffic. The experiences of older drivers remind us that when we talk about vulnerable road users, we mustn’t limit the group to pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter riders, and motorcyclists. New road markings, varying speeds on shared surfaces, and the resulting increase in traffic dynamics also pose challenges for older drivers. So, fear exists on both sides. We are not just concerned for ourselves but for the safety of others as well,” explained Ana Cergolj Kebler, head of safe mobility programmes at Zavarovalnica Triglav.
Gain know-how on the e-scooter simulator
The e-scooter simulator is a key feature of the Micromobility Junction and other preventative mobility initiatives. As the first of its kind in this part of Europe, the simulator records, analyses, and anonymises driver behaviour based on demographic data, offering valuable insights into the typical habits, critical points, and common behaviours of micromobility device users.
“We found that 70% of e-scooter riders who tried the simulator failed to brake correctly. Even when we see and react to a hazard, under-reacting can be dangerous. Interestingly, young people tend to perform best in the simulator because they anticipate hazards and are better prepared, reacting more quickly and effectively. The more we encounter the same situations, the better we become at handling them, leading to fewer collisions and improved communication. That’s how coexistence develops,” emphasises Triglav’s head of safe mobility programmes.
The simulator is also a highly useful tool for parents and grandparents, giving them a chance to try e-scooters with their children and gain a better understanding of the experience. This helps them better assess whether their children are ready for the responsibility that comes with using such a vehicle. One simulator is available at the Triglav Lab research centre in Ljubljana, while the other travels to schools across Slovenia and is used by Zavarovalnica Triglav, in collaboration with the Zavod Vozim Institute, as a hands-on tool to educate young people about micromobility.
Driving refreshers for older drivers
Zavarovalnica Triglav places special emphasis on supporting older road users. For the fourth consecutive year, in partnership with AMZS, it is organising driving refreshers for older drivers across Slovenia. So far, more than 1,400 drivers over the age of 60 have taken part. These are drivers with decades of road experience, countless miles behind them, and the wisdom and patience that come with age. For Triglav, such qualities make older drivers the true “giants” of the road.
A driving refresher is a free urban driving lesson conducted with one of AMZS’s experienced instructors, which allows seniors to drive their own vehicle. This gives participants the chance to familiarise themselves with the helpful features in their car, such as the safety and assistance systems, which they can then start using more actively. With deep respect for older drivers’ years of experience, Triglav and AMZS will continue travelling across Slovenia, offering refresher courses in towns like Murska Sobota, Trbovlje, and Kranj, following successful sessions in Koper, Ljubljana, and Celje. The initiative will run until mid-November, helping even more of these driving giants to refresh and enhance their skills.
