European Cyclists’ Federation and Cycling Industries Europe extend cooperation

European cycling advocacy organisations the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) and trade arm Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) have extended a long-standing collaboration for a further three years.

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see the organisations continue to partner in the pursuit of common goals, each aimed at growing cycling levels:

• Overall cycling levels to increase by 50%
• 50 million European adults who prior to 2019 “rarely or never” cycled take up cycling
• 100,000 km of new cycling infrastructure to be built in Europe
• 15 new national cycling strategies to be adopted in the UNECE/WHO Europe region
• An additional €15 billion for EU-funded cycling infrastructure projects, on top of national spending
• Fiscal and financial incentives for cycle purchase and use to total €500 million per year in tax breaks, leasing support and new bike-sharing schemes
• Bicycle and e-bike sales in Europe to grow to 30 million annually

Henk Swarttouw, President of the European Cyclists’ Federation: “ECF’s collaboration with CIE proves that cycling advocacy can be particularly effective when the voices of cyclists and businesses are both making themselves heard by decisionmakers. We are delighted by the value CIE places on our advocacy work as the world’s leading cyclists’ organisation. The ongoing support of CIE helps us to strengthen the present movement towards more and better cycling for all, not only for the people who cycle in Europe and beyond, but also for the future of our planet.”

The common efforts put in by the pair have helped shape pro-cycling policies at all levels of government across Europe and even helped secure billions of euros in public investments. The compounding effect of these efforts have meant money spent on thousands of kilometres of cycling infrastructure, legislative changes to the benefit of cyclists and all the associated benefits for the bike industry attached.

Tony Grimaldi, President of Cycling Industries Europe: “Growing levels of cycling in Europe needs outstanding advocacy at every level, from citizens and local businesses up to the EU institutions. CIE shows that companies have a powerful voice in advocacy and products that can change the way people move, but we also need influential civil society partners. Together with ECF and its members, we are a powerful team in delivering changes that will see cycling build on its current momentum.”

CIE was created as an industry network supporting ECF from 2012 to 2018 and became an independent trade association in 2019, working on industrial development as well as EU advocacy for companies. Since then, the two organisations have played a leading role in elevating political support for cycling, as evidenced by the pandemic-related measures that have seen nearly €3.5 billion in public funding committed to cycling in Europe and have generated significant increases in cycling levels.

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ECF and CIE will cover the period 2022-2024. During this time the two organisations will further develop core advocacy work when interests are aligned. This has in the past resulted in links developing cycling campaigns and events, often with the input of joint expert groups.

CIE will also provide funding from its membership fees for ECF’s core work programme, which includes continuing to advocate for more and safer cycling and for increased political support and investment in cycling.

Providing a window into UK-based cycling advocacy, the December 2021 conversation with MP Ruth Cadbury, serves as a bang up to date point of reference on political will, particularly in it’s distinguishing of cycling as transport, as a means to get to a destination.