Cycling at the International Transport Forum Photo credit ITF

The role of cycling in a changing and increasingly urbanized world

The International Transport Forum brings together a great number of Ministers of Transport and policy makers in the transport sector worldwide. ECF, the world’s largest cycling advocacy organization, has been invited to join the conference for several years now and thanks to the support of our members and sponsors, could be present at ITF 2014 edition.

This year’s theme of the International Transport Forum in Leipzig was ‘Transport in a Changing World’. Climate change, demographic growth and urbanization have an increasing influence on our transport systems. Especially cities, the motors of our economy and the centers of productivity, are facing important challenges such as scarce space, congestion, air pollution and safety issues.

Academics and authorities acknowledge the high evidence of the benefits of cycling as opposed to individualized motorized transport. In preparation of ITF 2014, ECF presented 5 concrete recommendations to ITF, to which we add the following conclusions of the conference:

1.      Growing cities have to set the right price and infrastructure for optimal land use

Cycling tour of Leipzig for ITF participants. Photo credit: International Transport Forum

More than 50 % of the world's population currently lives in urban areas. By 2050, about 70% of all people are likely to be living in a city. Europe has already passed this number now, with 74% of European city dwellers. Key note speaker Paul Romer, Professor of Economics NY University, reminds us: “Land is becoming scarce and according to the basic economic law of supply and demand, the natural consequence is that land is becoming more expensive, real estate prices being the main indicator.” Romer thus urges governments to set the right price for cars taking up cities limited public space.

Tyrell Duncan, from the Asian Development Bank, adds that “many Asian cities are moving away from the unsuccessful proven Beijing planning method, investing now in multiple city centers, connected with city wide cycle ways and high quality mass transit systems.” Taipei, ECF’s newest member of Cities for Cyclists are indeed investing in good cycling lanes included in urban planning, a successful bike share system and cycling combined with public transport use.

ECF confirms the trend for passenger transport that urban population is already moving towards a modal shift in favor of cycling. Recent German statistics show that a growing number of the households in big cities only own bicycles (30% of households) and no cars anymore.

Concerning freight transport, ECF’s CycleLogistics project found that bikes and cargo bikes could accommodate 51% of all deliveries in European cities currently being moved by all types of motor vehicles, and over 90% of all supermarket shopping trips. Bikes are a key part of the solution for the future of our congested cities.

2.       Poor air quality can be improved by stricter regulation and cross-sectorial collaboration

New OECD research, published during ITF 2014, shows the severe impact of bad air quality on citizens’ health: more than 3.5 million people worldwide die prematurely each year from outdoor pollution. Moreover, this costs OECD countries, China and India an estimated 3.5 trillion USD a year (premature deaths and ill health). Entrepreneurs Bertrand Piccard and Michelin CEO Jean-Dominique Senard call out to governments to set out ambitious CO2 restrictions. Strict targets and good collaboration, between governments’ departments of Transport, Health and Energy but also between governments, industry and NGO’s, can make quick progress happen in industry, as Piccard shows with his Solar Impulse Project.

ECF’s report on quantifying CO2 savings by cycling provides evidence that cycling emits significantly less emissions than all other motorized transport means: a conservative estimation being that, for every 4 km that are cycled instead of car driven, 1 kg of CO2 is saved. Thanks to the health and economic benefits of cycling, cycling infrastructure is the most cost-efficient investment in times of budgetary restraint.

3.       Road death toll, urge for better data on cycling and the use of new technology

ITF Leipzig cycling cultural tour - photo credit ITF

Not only air pollution, but also road accidents are taking a heavy toll in urban areas. FIA Foundation acknowledges that every six seconds, someone is killed or seriously injured on the world's roads and especially in developing countries.

ECF emphasizes that the best way to avoid road injuries and mortality in developing countries is to focus on active transport modes and provide the right infrastructure for people walking and cycling. Cycling is not and should not be considered as a risky means of transport or a dangerous activity in itself. On the contrary, it is an inclusive and social activity that anyone can participate in and that everyone has access to.

ECF is also actively working to collect better data on cycling and safety and encourages the use of Intelligent Speed Assistance in cars, which could save millions of lives globally in the future.

4.       Keep moving by investing in bicycle economy

During the conference, ECF repeated that there is an urgent need to prepare our transport systems for a changing and increasingly urbanized world. Not only because of the growing cost for economy linked to congestion or health care, but more importantly because of the human perspective. We have a responsibility to avoid a growing death toll and illnesses caused by air pollution and road accidents.  

Benedicte Swennen, ECF’s Urban Mobility and Cities Policy Officer, states at the end of ITF 2014:
“I am pleased to witness the growing number of sustainable transport advocates at ITF, even though industry pressure to continue business as usual is still high. Ministers and stakeholders present at ITF 2014 are well aware of the necessity to tackle the challenges and problems together, so that our transport systems are ready for a growing population in cities and give satisfactory answers to congestion problems and their economic and health related consequences.”

About the Author

Benedicte Swennen is ECF’s Urban Mobility and Cities Policy Officer and Cities for Cyclists network manager. Prior to working for ECF, she worked for Bond Beter Leefmilieu, a Belgian (Flemish) NGO for the environment, focusing on sustainable mobility, organizing promotion campaigns and developing the long term vision on mobility. Follow Benedicte on Twitter @BenedicteECF or take a look at her contributions to the Belgium Cycle Chic blog.