A key milestone for cycling – cycling leaders declare a positive verdict on today’s European Cycling Declaration
Seville, 4 October 2023 – Cycling advocacy associations the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) and the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI), enthusiastically welcomed today’s proposal for an inter-institutional European Cycling Declaration, announced by the European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean at an event in Seville. The Declaration aims to serve as a “strategic compass for existing and future policies to unleash the full potential of cycling in the European Union.”
The Commission’s most ambitious initiative on cycling to date, the proposed Declaration elevates cycling to a strategic priority and acknowledges its power to generate enormous benefits for Europe, stating: “This Declaration recognises cycling as one of the most sustainable, accessible and inclusive, low-cost and healthy forms of transport and recreation, and its key importance for European society and economy.”
Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation, said: “This is a key milestone for cycling. We are delighted that the Declaration reflects many of ECF’s longstanding advocacy and policy demands aimed at increasing and improving cycling in Europe, such as creating more and better cycling infrastructure and encouraging inclusive and affordable mobility. This is an excellent framework for enabling many more Europeans to cycle – and to cycle more safely.”
Today’s Declaration delivers on a pledge made earlier this year by former Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans at the CIE Summit and follows an EU Parliament Resolution in February and a Belgium-led Member State Declaration signed by a majority of EU countries. With eight principles and 36 commitments to boost cycling and support the delivery of climate targets and objectives of the European Green Deal, the Declaration consolidates the previous announcements and is expected to be finalised by the end of 2023 as a joint inter-institutional commitment.
Kevin Mayne, CEO of Cycling Industries Europe, said: “We have long advocated for a unified EU cycling policy that would place cycling on the same level as other modes of transport and industrial sectors in the EU, releasing more coherent policy support, greater consistency across EU Member States and billions more for investments. The Declaration breaks new ground by including all the key areas required for a successful cycling ecosystem for society and business.”
Manuel Marsilio, General Manager of CONEBI, added: “The bicycle, e-bike, parts and accessories industries in Europe highly appreciate the Commission’s European Cycling Declaration proposal. Its implementation will help to further develop and grow the cycling sector as central partners in the EU mobility ecosystem and as a world-class European cycling industry. We look forward to continuing our political dialogue with the EU Institutions about our role in Europe’s economy and the delivery of an ambitious EU industrial strategy.”
The cycling organisations congratulate the Commission on their collaborative and consultative approach that has led to this Declaration, not only with the European Parliament and Council and internally within the Commission, but also externally with key stakeholders including the cities, regions, Member State officials, industry associations, companies and NGOs represented in the Commission’s Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM).
ECF and CIE, who played leading roles in an EGUM stakeholder consultation held in July, were pleased to see that many of the recommendations in their joint statement were incorporated into the Declaration.
Notes for the Editor
About the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF): ECF is the single European umbrella organisation whose mission is to promote cycling as a sustainable and healthy means of transport and leisure. With around 70 member organisations in over 40 countries, we unite the European cycling movements as the only civil society voice at the pan-European level, and as the world’s largest and best-known cyclists’ advocacy organisation. The vision we share with our members is to improve and increase cycling across the whole of Europe.
About Cycling Industries Europe (CIE): CIE delivers the strengths of the cycling business sector to sustainable mobility and recreation in Europe, representing cycling businesses at the EU level and running influential cross-sector Expert Groups. One of the founding principles of CIE was to demonstrate the benefits of the whole cycling ecosystem, and include all dimensions of mobility and transport policy. Today the organisation has a wide range of members from SMEs to global companies and represents all sectors including manufacturers, service providers, infrastructure, digital solutions and shared mobility providers.
About the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI): CONEBI represents the European Bicycle, Pedal Assist E-Bike, Parts & Accessories Industries in Europe; out of a total of more than 1000 companies in Europe, more than 700 companies – most of them SMEs – are represented via the CONEBI’s national member organizations. CONEBI’s work involves providing input to the EU’s regulatory and policy consultation fora in matters related to the EU Internal Market, Industry, and Transport legislative agenda. CONEBI is a founding member of the World Bicycle Industry Association WBIA, the Industry4Europe coalition and the EU CCAM Partnership.
For more information, please contact:
Manuel Marsilio, General Manager – CONEBI
Michael Brennan, Communications Manager & Press Officer – ECF
Jacques Lovell, Industry Manager – CIE
j.lovell@cyclingindustries.com
