EU Transport Ministers signed the ‘European Declaration on Cycling’ (see EUROPE 13350/8) with Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean and Karima Delli, Chair of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, at the informal meeting on Wednesday 3 April.
The ‘Declaration’ recognises cycling as a sustainable, accessible and affordable means of transport with high added value for the EU economy. It includes clear commitments, such as safe and coherent cycle networks in towns and cities, better links with public transport, secure parking spaces and access to recharging points for electric bikes.
“I am very proud that the European Parliament’s resolution has led to this Declaration, which has been ratified by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission”, said Ms Delli in a press release. “Cycling is a fantastic means of transport, good for health, the climate and employment, and a great industrial opportunity for the European Union”, she added.
The signatories have undertaken to support the bicycle-related services sector, such as self-service bicycles and cycle logistics, particularly in towns and cities, notably by strengthening the integration of cycle logistics into the logistics system.
Leonore Gewessler, Austria’s Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility and Innovation, announced ahead of the meeting that she would propose the creation of a committee of experts at technical level. The role of this committee will be to work on cycle traffic, “in order to learn from each other and advance European initiatives in this area”, she added.
To read the ‘Declaration’, go to https://aeur.eu/f/blj (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)