At the head of the change. Andalusia's Vice Minister for Development José Antonio García Cebrián leading a group of fellow citizens through the streets of Seville.

 

José Antonio García Cebrián (Las Cabezas de San Juan, Sevilla, 1969) believes that Andalusia (8.450.000 inhabitants) could move better and faster by bicycle. As former General Manager of Urbanism and Housing in the Seville City Council, he designed and developed the Cycling Master Plan of Seville, which in just 6 years reached impressive numbers: more than 130km of new cyclist infrastructures, a growth in the number of cyclists by 1300% (from 6.000 to 72.000 daily users) and a effective bike share scheme, SEVici. This cyclist revolution has positioned Seville as a reference in the international cyclist scene (4^th in the Copenhagenize index).

From his new charge as Vice Minister of Development and Housing in the regional government of Andalusia, is ready to export this successful experience to the 9 main Andalusian cities. The Cycling Plan of Andalusia, with more than 400 million euros budget, is now ready to be implemented.

1.   The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) has the target of doubling the number of EU cyclists, from 7.4 to 15%, by 2020. The Autonomous Community of Andalusia is aiming to reach 10% cycling modal share by 2020 - quite a challenge for a country where the concept of bike as an actual means of transportation is not really developed. Which will be your first steps?

The just-presented PAB - Plan Andaluz de la Bicicleta (Cycling Plan of Andalusia) will promote bike-commuting practices among 3 million citizens in the Community’s 9 largest urban areas, trying to “Seville-ize” them. Andalusian capital city Seville has in facts a remarkable 8.9% cycle modal share: we want to spread its best practices.

2.   Beside the construction of new infrastructure, how will you promote cycling?

The Cycling Plan of Andalusia encompasses a number of pro-bike programs, from cycle-to-work schemes to initiatives with schools. The plan is meant to create the foundations for the future development of cycling. Seville is showing the way, with projects in the fields of health, education, tourism and employment about to kick-off in 2014.

3.   International studies show that € 1m invested in cycling infrastructure creates more jobs than the same amount invested in the construction of a highway. Do you believe that employment stimulus is a key factor in this plan?

Absolutely. The construction of cycling infrastructure doesn’t require us to bear those massive expropriation costs that in road infrastructure can sometimes suck up to the 40% of the budget. This means that we can build more, with less non-labor related costs. Plus, building bike infrastructures requires more manual labor – an additional benefit for employment. On top of all this, more cycle-friendly cities mean more local trade, not to mention the bike-business that will develop once there is high demand for cycle-related services and goods.

4. Do you ride? How does it benefit you?

Sure I do, although it annoys our chauffeurs (laughs, editor’s note). It saves me time, keeps me independent, it’s faster, healthier and more fun. It gives you new perspectives over the city. I couldn’t imagine a better way to move.

5.   Do you wear a helmet? Dou you think that Spanish Government mandatory helmet law proposal could affect the plan?

Ask me why I do not wear a helmet. I believe that it must be a personal choice, not an imposition. In facts, evidence from Europe clearly suggests that mandatory helmet policies mean fewer cyclists out there therefore decreased safety parameters. In my opinion this law proposal it is doomed to fail.
However, a mandatory helmet law wouldn’t affect the development and execution of the PAB.

6. One of the key points in cycling mobility is intermodality, with a special emphasis on trains. Have you integrated all these in your Plan?

The Cycling Plan of Andalusia emphasizes the necessity of a triple alliance between public transport, cyclists and pedestrians, and aims to strengthen it. We cooperate with the 9 Andalusian metropolitan transport organizations involved, so as to share with them the targets of the plan.

7. Did you feel like Don Quixote (fighting against windmills) when you first proposed and promoted the Cycling Master Plan of Seville?

All the elements were against us but the conviction that Seville is a perfect city for cycling – reality has really exceeded all expectations – dissipated them. Being a daily bike user also helped me to overcome the fears of a failure and made me confident. You see? This is what cycling does to people.

The Andalusia Cycling Plan is also on Vimeo, check out this video.

 About the Author 

 Jesus Freire Valderrama is Project Officer at ECF.