Cycling in Europe

The European level

Presentazione di

Doretta ViciniVice-presidente ECF

Convegno Varese

Maggio 2009

Cycling in Europe

1. The institutions and stakeholders

2. The ambitions of the European Commision

3. ECF analysis of the Commissions Green Paper on Urban Transport and concrete proposals

4. More action on the European level is necessary … the ECF

5. On tourism (EuroVelo)

6. On road safety for cyclists

Cycling in Europe

1. Most important institution: The European Commission (DG’s for transport, environment, health …)

2. The European Parliament

3. Stakeholders Bicycle Industry, Retailers and users have federations based in (near to) Brussels

4. The member states, regions and cities are stakeholders too

Cycling in Europe

1. There is no European strategy for cycling; cycling is not an independent issue

2. But: The European Commission and the European Parliament do support projects to promote cycling

3. And: Green Paper on Urban transport incorporates cycling

The European Commissions’ ambitions

• On Urban Mobility:• free-flowing towns

and cities• greener towns and

cities• accessible urban

transport• safe and secure

urban transport

On …• Road Safety• Public Health • Clean Air• Climate Change• Noise• Energy & - Efficiency

Assessement of Green Paper by ECF

• No strong committment to achieve modal shift; • no intention to introduce cycling and walking as

third pillar

Private

motorized

transport

Public

transport

H P M (*)

Walking

Cycling

Wheeling

(*) HPM = HumanPowered Mobility

Why the increase of cycling supports the ambitions of the European

Commission

More cycling Less car use

•Cleaner Air

•Safer Roads

•Less Climate Change

•Less Noise

•Less Transport Costs

•Less Energy Use & Better Efficiency

•Better Public Health

•Better Quality of Life

Modal shift from the use of private cars to cycling (& …)

Four concrete proposals for the coming Action Plan

1. Clear objectives for the modal share of cycling and for cyclists’ safety

2. A European Bicycle Officer

3. A project on ‘thorough research, data and statistics for cycling policy in Europe’

4. Review of the allocation of European resources

More action on the European level is necessary

ECF MC in front ofECF office in Brussels

(background: building of the European Commission)

Event in Brussels (a blue carpet changes the street temporarly more

in favour of cyclists)

Concrete results of ECF lobbying on EuroVelo

EESC Opinon April 2007 on : Promotion of cross-border cycle transport“ :

“ … a complete European network of Cycle Routes, a TEN (Trans-European Network) for cycling .”

“In Europe every train … space available for … bicycles.”

Study on behalf of the European Parliament on the potential of the EuroVelo network, including the aspect of ‘bike & train” (will be finished in ’09)

EuroVelo signposting approved by the UNECE (!?)

The ECF -25 years speaking for cyclists

• 56 member organizations in 38 countries

• Based in Brussels• EuroVelo ® project • Annual Velo-city ©

Conference ECF President Manfred Neun speaking at the ECF 25th Anniversary celebration in Brussels

ECF present in Brussels

Cooperation with

Bicycle Industry

(Colibi/Coliped and

Retailers (ETRA)

Charter of Brussels – to be signed by cities !

Budapest – member of Cities for Cyclists ?

ECF MC visits EuroVelo 6 route at Schaffhausen (CH;

2008)

EuroVelo in Serbia

No.6, Rivers Route

Lenght: 588 km

No. 11, East Europe Route

Lenght: 592 km

TOTAL LENGHT: 1180 km

On road safety for cyclists

20

More safety for cyclists: European directive on black spot mirrors!

Vehicle

Road

Infrastructure

User

UK situation: Riding on the left side !!!

More safety by good positioning - a key skill for both adults and children

„Of all cycling skills, road positioning is probably the most important, for it is through their position on the road that cyclists can exert the greatest influence on their safety in traffic.“ (cit. from cyclecraft)

www.ecf.com

Thank you for inviting us and for your cooperation