February 1, 2023 - MEPs in the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee have voted to adopt a resolution on developing an EU cycling strategy. The resolution calls for a doubling the number of kms cycled in Europe by 2030 and a significant increase in support for cycling across Europe.
Key progress was made on the development of an EU cycling strategy with the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) voting to adopt a resolution on developing an EU cycling strategy on 31 January.
From ECF and our members’ perspective, highlights of the draft resolution adopted by the Committee include calls for:
• Cycling to be recognised as a fully-fledged mode of transport
• Acknowledgement of the place of cycling in the EU green transition
• The European Commission to develop a European cycling strategy with the aim of doubling the number of kilometres cycled in Europe by 2030
• Significantly increased investment in cycling infrastructure and reduction of VAT rates for bicycles
• Better integration of cycling in urban mobility plans by regional and local authorities and better synergies between cycling and other transport modes
• 2024 to be designated the European Year of Cycling
• The resolution also calls for important measures to support and grow the cycling industry in the EU.
ECF has long been calling for the adoption of a comprehensive European cycling strategy, together with our partners including Cycling Industries Europe and the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry. This resolution passed by the TRAN Committee reflects many of our longstanding aims and is an important step towards unleashing cycling’s enormous potential.
An EU Cycling Strategy would rightfully place cycling on the same level as other transport modes, unlocking more resources and fiscal support for cycling. Not only would this help grow levels of cycling across Europe, but also help in meeting EU green goals and support a just transition.
Jill Warren, ECF CEO, welcomed the adoption of the draft resolution saying: “This is an incredibly exciting step towards an EU Cycling Strategy, where cycling receives the recognition, priority and resources it rightfully deserves.
“We have long engaged with MEPs on the transformative potential of cycling and want to thank all the Members of TRAN for their support for this draft resolution. In particular, we would like to thank TRAN Committee Chair Karima Delli, and all her team, for their invaluable support in championing cycling in Europe.”
The next step will see the full house of the Parliament vote on the resolution during the plenary session in Strasbourg in February.
