EU: more and more proposals in favor of sustainable mobility

The bicycle is becoming an increasingly protagonist in the EU's proposals for sustainable mobility.

Last December 14, in fact, the European Commission presented a series of proposals for the "efficient and green mobility” in relation to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Directive.

The European Cyclist's Federation (ECF), the European Cycling Industries (CIE) and the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) welcomed this package as many contained measures have the bicycle as their protagonist, recognizing its growing political priority, at local and national level, elevating them to a priority level across the European Union.

In particular, the elements of the package that cycling promotion organizations warmly welcome are:

• Priority in the development of cycling, walking, public transport and shared mobility services in urban mobility;
• I invite cities to adequately address the issue of bicycles in urban mobility policies;
• The proposal to require that TEN-T urban nodes adopt sustainable and urban mobility plans that also serve to increase cycling levels;
• The call for the TEN-T regulation to better integrate active transport modes into the network and maintain the continuity and accessibility of cycling infrastructure;
• Recognition of the need to accelerate the development of cargo bikes and e-cargo bikes for urban logistics and last mile deliveries;
• Recognition of the enormous contribution that e-bikes and e-cargo bikes make, in addition to the increase in the number and duration of bicycle trips, also to the strong industrial leadership of the European cycling industry;
• Call to ensure better integration between public transport, shared mobility services and active mobility, with the request to guarantee sufficient road space for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Launch of a program for the collection of data on urban mobility.

“European cycling companies have led the world in developing products and services that transform urban mobility. I am pleased that their success is finally recognized by the European Commission as a priority in future policy. With e-bikes, cargo bikes, bike sharing, connected services and commitments to expanded cycling infrastructure, we believe this can lay the foundation for greater opportunities and benefits across the industry.”, he reported Kevin Mayne, CEO of Cycling Industries Europe.

“For the benefit of people who cycle in Europe, and those who would like to, we welcome what is effectively the Commission's strongest commitment to cycling to date.” – He underlined Jill Warren, CEO of ECF – “This is real progress for Europe's cycling associations, but also for every advocate and municipal official who has worked to show what cycling can offer for cities."