In cooperation with 5 other cycling organisations, ECF co-signed an open letter addressed to the EU Commission and Parliament leadership on climate change and mobility laying out recommendations for a COVID19 recovery plan with cycling at its core, which will ensure a sustainable recovery in line with the EU Green Deal.

The letter calls for:

• A plan that supports economic stimulus, without creating risk of further pandemic waves

During a return to normal economic activity reduced public transport capacity and public anxiety cannot increase private car use in already congested cities, or lockdown will be replaced by gridlock. Cycling networks create local jobs, stimulating purchasing at local small and medium sized businesses in all sectors and locations. Cycling businesses cover a complete spectrum from local bike sharing, cycling delivery services, cycle retail, leisure and tourism to our leading global champions. This will stimulate green job creation, reemployment and the restart of capital investments.

• Strategic investments that support the EU Green Deal and a green COVID-recovery

Investment in a cycling recovery plan provides an immediate return on investment for the EU Green Deal. Each extra cyclist delivers reductions in CO2 emissions, air pollution, noise and congestion.

• A plan that supports EU values of fairness, access for all and the principles of the single market

E-bikes are an EU success story. But the benefits are unevenly distributed, with the advanced markets purchasing 100 times more bikes per capita than the least developed countries. There are price, availability and service barriers in many countries that prevent a full market access being established. This can be changed by the right level of investment to reach a tipping point or critical mass in the low uptake countries.

The letter can be read in full here.

Recommendations

1. A centralised EU E-bike Access Fund: This fund will make the benefits of e-bikes available in all countries in the EU and stimulate European jobs in European Champion companies of all sizes including bike sharing and bikes for commercial services.

2. A comprehensive network of so called “COVID lanes” or similar infrastructure which will immediately facilitate cycling access in cities and stimulate green and sustainable mobility.

3. Leveraging the EU’s financial support for the goals of the European Cycling Strategy. The proposal for an EU Cycling Strategy was presented to the EU Commission in 2017, following recommendations from the EU Parliament and the EU Member States. This remains the document of record for what could and should be implemented in EU Policy to deliver a comprehensive increase in cycling across the EU by 2030, a major contribution to the EU’s climate and environmental goals.

The signatories of the Open letter were:

• Cycling Industries Europe;
• European Cyclists’ Federation;
• Confederation of the European Bicycle Industries;
• European Cycle Logistics Federation;
• European Bicycle Manufacturers’ Association;
• International Mountain Biking Association Europe.

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