On 28 September 2021, the European Commission published new guidelines for the Energy Efficiency First (EE1st) principle, with favourable mentions towards cycling. The guidelines assert that modal shift and an obligation for bike parking and e-bike charging points in building codes are effective ways to reduce energy consumption in the European Union (EU).

As the EE1st is the guiding principle for energy-related decisions in the EU, this reference to cycling is a considerable boost for ensuring more cycling across the continent. The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) is pleased to see that cycling features among the new guidelines, but declares that the next step must be to include bicycles in the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

Looking at various economic sectors, new measures on transport and buildings must highlight the need for pursuing modal shift in EU policies, as well as making the parking and charging of bicycles and e-bikes a key element in housing. Road transport, for example, is currently responsible for 72% of the transport sector’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Meanwhile, buildings are responsible for about 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption and for 36% of its GHG emissions. As stated by the Commission, “the reduction of energy consumption is directly linked to the climate neutrality objective.”

Transport

Here the Commission refers to its own 2019 “Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy”, highlighting the need for modal shift as well as a shift to zero-emission vehicles as a way of achieving climate neutrality.

The following examples of measures are explicitly listed in the guidelines:

• Putting in place measures to support wider use of public transport, cycling and walking.
• Incorporating transport energy consumption planning and measures to reduce it in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and considering them in spatial planning.
• Providing incentives for purchase and use of zero-emission vehicles and promotion of low-weight personal vehicles.

Buildings

Here the guidelines stress that the facilitation of energy-efficient transport should be integrated into local spatial planning policies, eg via provision of parking space and charging points for electric vehicles, bikes, e-bikes and cargobikes. Proximity to public transport networks is also key.

The following example of measures is explicitly listed in the guidelines:

• Obligations to provide bike parking and e-bike charging points through building codes.

ECF recommendation

As the bicycle is the most energy-efficient mode of transport, ECF believes this recognition for cycling is just a logical first step. However, it is not enough to do so in a non-binding recommendation only, it now needs to find its way into legislation too.

The recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2018/844, expected to be published in December 2021, is an excellent opportunity and hence will serve as a litmus test. ECF wants to see clear requirements included to provide bike parking and e-bike charging points in all new, refurbished, and where feasible, existing residential and non-residential buildings. The bicycle must not be left out.

Sources:
- Annex to the Commission Recommendation on Energy Efficiency First: from principles to practice. Guidelines and examples for its implementation in decision-making in the energy sector and beyond.
ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/default/files/eef_guidelines_ref_tbc.pdf

- ECF position paper: Making buildings fit for cycling by revising the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
ecf.com/files/reports/making-buildings-fit-for-cycling