European Cycling Declaration to “unleash full potential of cycling” in EU

Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, announced the inter-institutional European Cycling Declaration at an event in Seville last week, promising to “unleash the full potential of cycling in the European Union”.

This Declaration follows up 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 35 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.

There’s plenty of good stuff in the Declaration – from commitments to safe and coherent cycling infrastructure to an intriguing point about making cycling “affordable irrespective of income level” taking note of the possibility of Member States to apply “reduced VAT rates for the supply, rental and repair of bikes and eBikes as introduced by Council Directive in order to increase affordability”. There’s also a note about supporting the deployment of charging points for eBikes in urban planning and in bike parking spaces inside and outside buildings. It’s a seven page document well worth skimming through if you’re so inclined.

It won’t have escaped our readers attention that CIN’s home nation, Great Britain is no longer part of the EU, so is presumably exempt from the new European Cycling Declaration, though we are exploring this question in the near future.

Labelled 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.”

Aiming to provide a “strategic compass for existing and future policies”, the move was welcomed by key European cycle assocs like the European Cyclists; Federation (ECF), Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) and the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI).

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.”

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.”

Image by kitakami_photo from Pixabay