June 21, 2024 - (Ghent, BEL) A whirlwind of sessions, networking, and inspiration, the second day of Velo-city certainly did not disappoint. Today had it all, with the traditional bike parade as the cherry on top of the cake. In typical Velo-city fashion, thousands of cyclists flooded the streets of Ghent, accompanied by music and live performances. At the Après-fiets party, Velo-citizens got a taste of Belgian beer culture with specially created Velo-city beer.
Plenary 3: Cycling strategies – Joining national and international forces
“Vive le Vélo!” that is how Georges Gilkinet, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium addressed all bike-lovers and Velo-citizens during plenary three. Giliknet, who was initially told, “Cycling policy is not your competency, sir.” shared the story of how the cycling community took cycling to the European level, describing it as a ‘bumpy road’. His effort, combined with those of ECF, CIE and many others, would four years later result in the European Declaration on Cycling, the very first cycling policy at the European level.
The momentum of the Declaration was not lost on the speakers of this panel. Commending Poland as the number one bike producer in Europe, Adrian Mazur, Director of the Department of Transport Strategy – Ministry of Infrastructure outlined the impressive steps his Ministry plans to take to bring the Declaration to light. While Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, shared her commitment, stating, “I can promise that at the next Velo-city, I will check what can be done and at what level and if it can be operationalised or not.”
The session repeatedly referenced a strong economic theme, with the possibility to create over 2 million jobs in the cycling sector with the right policy support. On how the Declaration could affect the industry, Kevin Mayne, CEO of Cycling Industries Europe, stressed the entire Declaration has a business element. Without this, the strategy could not have happened. Mayne added, that “85% of jobs will be local, hyperlocal”, meaning there is something in there for every village, town or city in the Declaration. Recalling yesterday’s race in the Velodrome, Magda Kopczyńska closed the panel discussion with a vivid metaphor: ‘Promoting cycling is like racing on the track of the t’ Kuipke. Once you start, you cannot stop.
To conclude plenary three, Sheila Watson, Deputy Director of FIA Foundation, was on hand to speak on The Partnership of Active Travel and Health, “Walking and cycling have a clear and vital role to play in a more sustainable future; in fact, they are essential.” Launched two years ago by FIA Foundation, together with ECF, Walk21 and the UN Environment Programme, and supported by over 400 organisations, PATH is key in promoting and protecting active modes of travel, which must be reflected in ongoing climate conversations.
