On May 11, ECF member Latvijas Riteņbraucēju apvienība (Latvian Cyclists’ Union) organised the traditional Riga Cycling Conference, bringing together bicycle planners and cycling enthusiasts. The theme of this year's event was integrated planning for cycling on the national level and the development of a national cycling strategy.

Latvian Minister of Transport Uldis Augulis opened the conference and invited the participants to promote the development of cycling through co-operation within all related areas - transport, health, environment, and others. The minister said that "cooperation between local government and the national level is also important for the successful development of bicycle infrastructure. The public perception of cycling becomes more positive and together we can achieve good results.” The minister also announced the adoption of a national cycling strategy, which is expected for this summer after concertation with all relevant ministries.

Director Tālivaldis Vectirāns, Director of the Road Traffic Department of the Ministry of Transport, invited the public - both citizens and companies - to address the ministry with their ideas on what should be done to improve cycling infrastructure in Latvia.

Viesturs Silenieks, Head of the Latvian Cyclists’ Union, stressed that it is essential to implement concrete actions for people to see the difference, and for Latvia and Riga to become more cycling-friendly both for everyday mobility and for tourism.

Some international examples for integrated cycling planning were also introduced: ECF presented the European Cycling Strategy blueprint intended to deliver an integrated EU level cycling policy, as well as the Pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion, which is developed by a group of countries in the framework of the THE PEP Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme, and where Latvia has the opportunity to play a more active role. Miklós Berencsi, Head of the Cycling Coordination Department at the Ministry for National Development in Hungary, presented his country’s integrated national cycling strategy and provided the audience with some important lessons from the past on governance and planning.

Venta Pastare, Specialist at the Development and Planning Department of the Carnikava District Council, spoke about the EuroVelo13 project, which involves the creation of a 564 km long cycling route along the Baltic Sea. The route from Riga to Ainaži passes through various nature preserves and the nature park Piejūra, and is a good example how the EuroVelo network can promote local economic development in the tourism sector with the help of EU funding.