April 17, 2023 - On February 16 in Strasbourg, Germany, the European Parliament passed a Resolution to develop an EU Cycling Strategy, setting out a 17-point action plan that tasks the European Commission with doubling the number of kilometres cycled in Europe by 2030.

This marks cycling’s recognition as a full-fledged mode of transport and a key asset to meet long-term climate and clean manufacturing objectives. The plan aims to develop more cycling infrastructure and lay fertile ground in Europe for bike, component and battery production. One goal is to grow two million jobs in a “cycling ecosystem” covering manufacturing, tourism, retail, health and sports that currently employs one million people in Europe.

Cycling advocacy associations, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), Cycling Industries Europe (CIE), the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA) enthusiastically welcomed the Parliament’s Resolution and congratulated its Transport and Tourism Committee for carrying through the Resolution under MEP Karima Delli’s initiative and stewardship. Stakeholders also hope to designate 2024 as the European Year of Cycling.

Already backed by numerous EU Member States, the concept encourages national governments to take additional actions such as reducing VAT rates, multiplying initiatives to promote cycling and replicate the “Portugal Bike Valley” reindustrialization success story, along with targeted European Parliament support from European funding programs.

While legally non-binding, the European Parliament’s Resolution is a key document to shape future policy priorities and decisions for which the Parliament can hold the European Commission accountable. Momentum for cycling continues to build as 11 EU countries have signed the Belgium-led European Cycling Declaration, which calls for an EU action plan to prioritize cycling. Twelve EU member states already have a national cycling strategy or similar policy document in force.

A total of 17 member states have either signed the European Cycling Declaration, have a national cycling strategy currently in force, or both.