The European Cyclists Federation is delighted with the cooperation and results which it has achieved with partners on World Health Organisation (WHO)'s Physical Activity Strategy 2016-2025. Without ECF no one would have talked about doubling cycling, halving crash rates, and increasing budgets and planning for cycling infrastructure.

WHO

The European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) worked together with partners to add more active transport and urban planning to the WHO's plans regarding physical activity for the next decade (2016-2025). (For further information on WHO's physical activity policies, please click here and to explore ECF's stance and advocacy on physical activity, health, click here).

Active transport, urban design should be on the table

“This is the first time WHO has a dedicated Physical Activity Strategy”, said Dr Joao Breda, the WHO representative for Europe.

ECF health policy officer, Dr Randy Rzewnicki, was delighted with the cooperation and the results.  “We went to the Stakeholder’s Meeting looking at a document that had hardly any mention of walking or cycling. There was a lot more attention given to sports and recreation than active transport, and nothing at all about urban design in it" he said. Rzewnicki added: "Together with our long-time friends at POLIS, and very strong support from CPME, the federation of medical doctors associations, we should be seeing a whole so-called “priority area” on this in the upcoming document.”

ECF member SUSTRANS had sent written comments arguing for more attention to cycling. ECF's long-time partner ISCA also added written support for the ECF position promoting active mobility.

Without ECF no talking about doubling cycling

“This kind of result makes clear the importance of the work that ECF is doing” said Rzewnicki. “ECF was the only NGO in the room with the focus on active transport. If we were not there, no one would have talked about our key messages: doubling cycling, halving crash rates, and increasing budgets and planning for cycling infrastructure.” ECF's review and analysis on WHO's Physical Activity Strategy 2016-2025 is very positive.

About the Author

Randy Rzewnicki has a wealth of experience in the world of cycling having previously worked with Fietsersbond Brussels (Brussel’s Cyclist Union) and a range of other EU funded Projects such as CycleLogistics & Life-Cycle. He is currently co-managing the Pro-E-bike Project, which is pushing for behavioral change in professional freight and transport.

Follow Dr Randy Rzewnicki on Twitter @ECFhealth