What we mean by mobile advertising

Mobile advertising is any advert that moves through public space or is carried by a person. It does not include fixed billboards, bus shelters, building wraps or shop signs, which have their own rules and are not what this site argues about.

The formats we cover:

• Advertising bicycle: a bicycle, tricycle or cargo bike, with or without electric assistance, carrying an advertising panel.
• Advertising van or truck: a motor vehicle carrying advertising for a business other than its owner, moving in ordinary traffic.
• Own-branded vehicle: a business's own van showing its own name or logo. Most Spanish rules treat this differently, which is a large part of our argument.
• Advertising trailer: a trailer carrying an advertising panel, towed or left parked.
• Parked advertising vehicle: any vehicle or trailer left in place mainly so that people see its advert. We treat this as a billboard, and so do most foreign systems.
• Sign-holder or walking billboard: a person carrying a board, sandwich board, backpack panel or similar.
• Street promoter: a person who approaches passers-by to promote a business, including bar and club promoters and ticket sellers.
• Leaflet distribution: handing printed advertising to people in the street. It is distinct from leaving leaflets on cars or scattering them, which most rules ban.
• Mobile digital screen: a vehicle carrying a lit or moving-image screen. We think these should be restricted.
• Sound advertising: loudspeakers or megaphones used to advertise. We think these should be restricted.

What we argue for: bikes, vans and people moving through public space should be allowed, with simple notice and clear limits. What we don't argue for: parked billboard-vehicles, screens, loudspeakers, blocked pavements, aggressive promotion or litter.