Cities & Regions for Cyclists

Our Cities & Regions for Cyclists (CRC) Network welcomed five new members this year, including the first members from Slovakia, Ireland and Lithuania. Reaching over 60 members, the CRC Network has expanded the representation of local and regional administrations committed to cycling to well over 55 million citizens.

The Trnava Self-Governing Region became the first CRC Network member in Slovakia! With a historically high bicycle use, Trnava Region has been awarded a National European Mobility Week Award for two years in a row (2022-23). With a budget of 2,5 million EUR for cycling infrastructure investments, Trnava Region is leading the way in cycling developments in Slovakia. The region adopted a Sustainable Regional Mobility Plan (SRMP) in 2020 that sets a goal of 12% modal share for cycling by 2050, and outlines comprehensive measures including segregated cycling infrastructure, integration with public transport, bike share, bicycling parking, and e-bikes. Brno Municipality (Czech Republic) shares the same goal of 12% modal share for cycling by 2050, as outlined in its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). Historically, cycling has also been popular in Brno for both sport and recreation. There are currently 110 km of cycling infrastructure in place and the city is committed to developing existing and new infrastructure into a comprehensive network. While a new cycling strategy seeks to update old infrastructure plans, all new street reconstruction incorporates cycling as well as temporary traffic measures.

Photo credit Left: Trnava Self-Governing Region // Middle: Brno Municipality // Right: Neringa Municipality

Neringa Municipality (Lithuania) is a unique Baltic Sea resort, home to a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cycling is central to the municipality’s vision for sustainable tourism and eco-friendly mobility, as showcased by the newly reconstructed Smiltynė-Nida pedestrian and bike path, spanning the Curonian Spit and connecting all four settlements in the region. This €15.1 million investment, funded by the national government, underscores Lithuania’s broader ambition to advance sustainable mobility and cycling infrastructure as a national priority. Similarly, South Dublin County Council (Ireland) has launched the ambitious Cycle South Dublin programme, co-funded by the Council, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the central government, with a vision for South Dublin to become one of Ireland’s most cycle-friendly counties. It proposes a set of 45 routes that would deliver approximately 263km of new and improved cycle lanes over the next years.

Last but not least, also joining our network this year is Amsterdam Bike City Partnership (the Netherlands), the platform for knowledge and innovation about cycling, developed by the City of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Transport Region. Local and regional authorities in Amsterdam have over 40 years of experience making cycling safe, easy and enjoyable. The platform aims to share experience and learn from others about cycling in the Netherlands and abroad. 

Highlights from across our network include, of course, the City of Ghent (Belgium), host of one of the best and biggest Velo-city conferences to date! More than 1600 participants, over 400 speakers, 100 exhibitors, and well over 3000 cyclists joining the signature bike parade, Ghent really had it all! On the day before Velo-city, we had another inspiring in-person CRC Network Day, sponsored by Arup, and hosted by our member City of Deinze (Belgium). A picturesque city in East Flanders, long committed to building a strong cycling policy, Deinze’s decade of cycling evolution was showcased and shared with fellow network members! Finally, the City of Gdansk (Poland) is busy with preparations to host Velo-city 2025 on 10-13 June, followed closely by City of Rimini (Italy) that will host Velo-city 2026! 

Photo credit ECF, CRC Network Day 2024, Deinze, Belgium

Cycle-Friendly Employer Consortium

ECF’s Cycle-Friendly Employer (CFE) certification, currently implemented in 15 countries, is gaining momentum across the continent. The number of certified employers has exceeded 850 employers, while the number of employees surpassing 820,000. Our CFE Consortium members, continue to promote cycle-friendly measures across European workplaces, thereby achieving substantial recognition for cycling to work by decision-makers on all levels.

The European Parliament has been awarded the Cycle-Friendly Employer Award by ECF at Velo-city 2024 Ghent. Certified by Fietsersbond, CFE National Coordinator Belgium, it is the first EU institution to attain CFE certification. Their approach includes everything from providing service bikes, free bike maintenance, and state-of-the-art bicycle parking to organising annual promotional events, workshops, bicycle tours and trainings.

ADFC, CFE National Coordinator Germany, has had another fantastic year surpassing 350 certifications, including the National Court of Audit, the first Theatre and Opera company and the first Chamber of Commerce to be certified in Germany. Similarly, the Norwegian Cyclists’ Association, CFE National Coordinator Norway, has surpassed 250 certifications this year, including the recertification of Ahus University Hospital, and the recertification of Oslo Municipality Tax Collection Agency!   Earlier this year, our member concluded a landmark collaboration with Oslo Municipality on more than 100 cycle-friendly municipal workplaces. A diverse mix of agencies, including schools, healthcare providers and administrative units, representing 8,000-9,000 employees, were evaluated as part of Oslo Municipality’s vision to lead by example in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its workplaces.

 Photo credits Left: ADFC, Middle: Norwegian Cyclists’ Association, Right: Cycling UK

The Danish Cyclists’ Federation, CFE National Coordinator Denmark, has recertified Copenhagen Airport. Having successfully implemented recommendations to improve their cycle-friendliness, including workshop facilities for employees, the Copenhagen Airport was awarded Gold. Dublin Airport has also been recertified with Silver Level, by Cycling Solutions Ireland, CFE National Coordinator Ireland. Also certified this year are Dublin City Council, Dun Laoighaire-Rathdown County Council and Galway's Bonham Quay becoming the first certified business campus in Ireland.

ENVERÇEVKO, CFE National Coordinator Türkiye, has awarded ASAŞ Aluminium Industry and Trade Co. Inc with Gold Level becoming the second-ever Turkish employer to be certified. Cycling UK, CFE National Coordinator UK has launched a pilot scheme with Lloyds Banking Group and Brompton! As part of the pilot, employees of Lloyds Banking Group in Chester and Bristol, will be loaned a Brompton for six months. This program aims to reduce the number of car trips taken by employees, and replace short journeys by bike, to reach both personal, health, and corporate social responsibility objectives.

How to join Cities & Regions for Cyclists Network: https://ecf.com/community/cities-and-regions-cyclists

How to implement the CFE Certification in your country: https://ecf.com/community/cycle-friendly-employers-consortium