Swedish Cycling Cities (SCC) started as a small network in 2014 seeking to improve the status of cycling in Sweden, and has since grown into a national association of 37 cities, 6 regions and 8 associated members, including companies and institutions. The network is working strategically to raise awareness, and leverage cycling to reduce emissions and improve public health. SCC facilitates the transfer and exchange of best practices, expertise and research among its members with the overarching goal of creating better cycling conditions across Swedish cities.

Swedish Cycling Cities’ vision is for 50 % of all journeys shorter than 5 kilometres to be bicycle journeys. Given the current modal split of 11% (2019), SCC has developed a list 30 measures (in Swedish) which would be instrumental for improving cycling conditions, promoting cycling among children and youth, and ultimately contributing to the realisation of this vision. The measures include - but are not limited to - adapting relevant legislation to current cycling challenges, adopting a national cycling goal, as well as providing local and regional administrations with effective tools – such us road signs, and one-way segregated bike lanes – thereby enabling them to implement better cycling solutions.

SCC welcomes the cycling developments on a national level so far, of which notable highlights include the e-bike subsidy of 2017-2018, which saw a 25% subsidy for all e-bike sales until 2020, the inclusion of bicycle streets in national legislation in 2020, as well as annual grants of 1 billion SEK (approx. 100 million EUR) given to local and regional administrations for sustainable urban environments. In addition, the national government has requested the Swedish Transport Agency to research traffic rules that would increase cycling (in Swedish), and has invited the National Transport Research Institute to recommend a national cycling objective (in Swedish).

SCC will continue to play an active role in putting cycling at the centre of political discourse in Sweden. Recently, SCC submitted their referral response (in Swedish) for a National Transport Infrastructure Plan 2022-2033, which will affect infrastructure planning according to the goals set by the UN’s Agenda 2030 as well as the Swedish Climate Goals for 2030.

For more information on the network, on current members and how to join, visit our Cities & Regions for Cyclists page.