European Parliament calls to double cycling in Europe by 2030
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
European Parliament calls to double cycling in Europe by 2030
The European Parliament has tasked the European Commission with doubling the number of kilometres cycled in Europe by 2030. The call marks a recognition of cycling as a fully-fledged mode of transport and key industrial asset to meet long-term climate and clean manufacturing objectives.
The European Parliament has set out a 17-point action plan to develop more cycling infrastructure, lay fertile ground in Europe for bike, component, and battery production, and grow two million jobs in a ‘cycling ecosystem’ covering manufacturing, tourism, retail, health, and sports that already employs one million people in Europe today.
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) have enthusiastically welcomed the Resolution.
Kevin Mayne, CEO of Cycling Industries Europe, said: “This is an important step forward for the coalition of associations, companies, cities, regions, and governments that have supported the European Parliament in developing this resolution. From an industry perspective this is the most comprehensive endorsement of the importance of our sector that we have ever had by the EU institutions.”
Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation, said: “This important resolution, which reflects many of our longstanding advocacy and policy demands, represents a key milestone for cycling. We applaud the entire European Parliament for adopting an EU Cycling Strategy that can unlock cycling’s potential to enable more people to cycle – and to cycle more safely – all across Europe.”
European Year of Cycling
Cycling stakeholders are also hoping that the proposed 2024 European Year of Cycling will encourage national governments to take additional actions such as reducing VAT rates, multiplying initiatives to promote cycling, and replicating the ‘Portugal Bike Valley’ reindustrialization success story in other regions, with targeted support from European funding programs.
