ECF will coordinate a road safety project that will establish expert guidelines on cycling road safety and export that knowledge to countries in other parts of Europe. It is a two-year collaboration aimed at improving safety for cyclists in Balkan cities using Dutch/Danish know-how.

ECF will, along with the Fietsersbond and Danish Cycling Federation Cyklistforbundet, define the safe cycling practices that have proven successful in major cycling cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam. This best practice information will later be used by community organizations looking to promote cycling culture and reduce road fatalities in cities in Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia.

Cyclists account for 8% of all road traffic fatalities in Europe. Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia have all seen an increase in cycling but also have a pressing need to improve cycling road safety.

“As influencers and spokespeople for their communities, non-profit organisations are well-placed to push for policies and infrastructure that will make cycling safer and more attractive to members of the community. This project will take what has been learned in cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, and equip community-focused organisations so that they can advocate for regulation, promote safe cycling and, ultimately, aim to reduce fatalities on European roads,” said Lotte Brondum, executive director, Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety.

ECF Advocacy Director Mr. Adam Bodor said “this is an excellent opportunity to engage and use the expertise in our Champion members to help improve cycling safety in other areas of the Europe that are seeing a steady rise in cycling. It is time to bring them together to let the world see what can be achieved, with the ultimate goal of a saving lives.”

The results of the project will be shared at the 26th meeting of the UN Road Safety Collaboration in Sweden, February 2020, where it is anticipated the agenda for future road safety priorities will be set.