Portugal Makes Way for Bicycle Paths

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24 Jul, 2019

Portuguese government approves their National Strategy for Active Cycling Mobility (ENMAC 2020-2030), aiming to build 8,000 kilometers of new bicycle paths by 2030.

There are currently 2,000 kilometers of bike paths in Portugal, but at the national level few citizens ride bicycles on a regular basis: only 1% of trips are made by bicycle, far from the EU average of around 7.5%. To address this imbalance, ENMAC 2020-2030 is an ambitious strategy that represents "a commitment for the next decade which is independent of political cycles, thus ensuring the promotion of cycling the consequent adoption of healthier lifestyles and investment in the construction of bicycle paths," according to a statement released by the Portuguese Council of Ministers.

To achieve ENMAC 2020-2030 objectives, the strategy foresees the implementation of over 50 measures in the following decade that include, among others, cultural, environmental, educational and legislative changes. ENMAC 2020-2030 places particular emphasis on the inclusion of cycling as an extracurricular subject in primary and secondary schools, the evaluation of extending school insurance coverage for students, and the promotion of public bike-sharing services, among other measures.

ENMAC 2020-2030 was subject to a month-long public consultation that ended this past April 28^th. One of the respondents to this consultation was MUBi, the Portuguese association for urban cycling and an ECF member. MUBi has been in regular contact with government officials in the past, advocating for the development and implementation of a Portuguese national cycling strategy. Moreover, MUBi recently engaged the public together with Estrada Viva and the Federação Portuguesa de Ciclismo, collecting over 10,000 signatures in the support of safer conditions for cyclists. Following this initiative, the implementation of a national cycling strategy was included in a set of recommendations to the Government and unanimously approved.

Most recently, MUBi was an active participant in the development of ENMAC 2020-2030 in coordination with other public institutions and non-governmental organizations. MUBi is currently expected to form part of the consulting body for the effective implementation of the ENMAC 2020-2030 strategy within the following decade.

According to MUBi President Rui Igreja,

The document that was on public consultation is a good plan. It contains more than 50 measures and covers a lot of issues important for promoting cycling. But, so far, it's still a plan. The Government now needs to put money on it, actively involve all the relevant partners and stakeholders, including NGOs, define dates and budgets for the measures, and work with local authorities.”

The measures contemplated in ENMAC 2020-2030 will be approved for final adoption and implementation after the Portuguese legislative elections in October 2019. With the implementation of ENMAC 2020-2030, Portugal is placing itself in a favourable position to incorporate cycling as a healthy, social, sustainable and economic mode of transportation.