With 27 European Transport Ministers joining the informal council meeting, the high-level gathering can be seen as a big step forward for growing cycling and developing a world-class European cycling industry. – Photo CIE
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The interinstitutional European Declaration on Cycling was signed on Wednesday 3 April at the Informal Council meeting of Transport Ministers led by the Belgian EU presidency at Egmont Palace in Brussels. The European Declaration on Cycling is the most ambitious EU-level policy initiative on cycling to date, recognising cycling as a strategic priority and acknowledging its power to generate enormous benefits for Europe.
The signing ceremony marks the end of a long period of advocacy by industry organisations in Brussels. In February 2023 the European Parliament called on the EU Commission and Member States to take actions to double cycling in the EU. The Commission followed up this request a few months later as European Commission Executive-Vice President Frans Timmermans announced during the Cycling Industries Europe Summit a month later.
Keynote speech Tony Grimaldi
Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) president Tony Grimaldi was given the honour to participate in the signing event by the Transport Ministers, representing the cycling business sector. CIE was established five years ago with the aim of promoting cycling within the EU. By joining 27 European Transport Ministers at an informal council meeting, CIE perceives this high-level gathering as a big step forward for growing cycling and developing a world-class European cycling industry.
During his keynote speech, Grimaldi emphasised the transformative potential of cycling, urging Member States to take the opportunity for positive change now. He highlighted the benefits of embracing cycling, not only for mobility but also for job creation, economic growth, and the promotion of local industries. Grimaldi presented the economic potential of the cycling industry, projecting over 1 million new jobs in the EU by 2030. “Investing in cycling infrastructure not only benefits the environment but also contributes to economic prosperity in member countries,” said Tony Grimaldi. “When you develop new cycling infrastructure, you create new markets.”
"Everyone should have affordable access to bikes ”
“Everyone should have affordable access to bikes and it is important to align investments with business commitments to bolster local economies. The industry needs long-term regulatory certainty and a collaborative partnership between governments and the cycling industry to realize the goals of the EU Declaration on Cycling.”
“There is no reason to wait to grow cycling in Europe. It is a win-win – mobility transition, job creation, economic growth, promotion of local companies – all available now, all affordable now. Let’s develop a world-class European cycling industry and give boost to European leadership!”
The main topic of the two-day meeting of Transport Ministers is that the EU’s transport sector currently accounts for a quarter of the bloc’s greenhouse gas emissions, making it the highest emitting sector in the EU. This will be a key point of discussion in an hour-long discussion called ‘Greening Transport – where are we heading?’
Today’s milestone builds upon the European Parliament’s Resolution on Cycling, which was adopted by an overwhelming majority in February 2023, and marks a final approval of the European Declaration on Cycling draft put forward by the European Commission in October 2023. CIE with its partner associations European Cyclists’ Federation and CONEBI have been advocating and working together to make this a reality.
With EU elections coming up in June 2024, Cycling Industries Europe is calling for the new EU to make sure that the 36 commitments set in the Declaration will be turned into action. CIE’s EU Manifesto calls for the next European Commission to include cycling in all policies, measures and funding. Fulfilling the potential of cycling will help achieve EU mobility, climate, environmental, public health, economic, industrial, and social objectives. Cycling is the solution to some of the most pressing challenges Europe is facing today from providing zero carbon mobility to our cities and developing world-class European cycling industry to bringing much needed green jobs (2 million jobs by 2030) and economic growth.
