On Wednesday 4 October, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a declaration to promote cycling at the Urban Mobility Days in Seville. It recognised this means of transport as “sustainable, accessible and inclusive, affordable and healthy means of transport, with strong added value for the EU economy”.
The institution listed the principles that will guide future EU action to boost cycling: - safe and coherent cycling networks in cities; - better links with public transport; - secure parking spaces; - the deployment of charging points for electric bicycles; - bike highways connecting cities with rural areas.
“Safety is a prerequisite to encourage cycling, as cyclists are vulnerable”, said Adina Vălean, the Commissioner for Transport, in a statement. She pointed out that 9% of road accident fatalities are cyclists.
She went on to give more details of the Safe System approach: “These include safe speeds and road use, and proper enforcement of road traffic rules”.
“This declaration will help to stimulate high-quality jobs, including in training and cycling tourism”, she added. In 2022, a total of 14.7 million bicycles were produced in the EU, representing an increase of 29% between 2012 and 2022.
“I am very proud that the European Parliament’s resolution has resulted in a concrete proposal from the European Commission”, said Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, French), MEP and Chair of Parliament’s Committee on Transport, in a statement (see EUROPE 13123/7). She called on the Member States “to play their part in the European partition”.
Parliament and the Council of the EU will be able to examine the text and add other commitments to this non-binding declaration.
Read the declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/8vs (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)