One of our first visitors at the EuroVelo booth was the European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc. She confirmed that cycling will be tabled during next EU Presidency (Luxembourg), a great opportunity for cycling in Europe. During the event Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) presented the working principles regarding the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and said ‘the main indicator to award loans and guaranties under the Junker plan will be the return of investment’. Since investments in cycling projects have the best return in the transport sector, we believe that cycling projects could play an important role in the Junker Plan. There remains one vital point to be lobbied – ensure that all (external) costs and benefits are taken into account when these calculations and decisions are made. There were over 1,000 attendees at the TEN-T Days in Riga, most of which visited our booth. The synergies between TEN-T project and cycling infrastructure such as the EuroVelo routes were highlighted to visitors of the EuroVelo booth. A significant number of those who visitors were national and regional public body representatives from all over Europe. They all agreed that Europe needs investments in transport and cycling can deliver in terms decarbonisation, economic growth and jobs creation.

Meeting with the Latvian Ministry of Transport, Andrijs Matīss