The European Cyclists’ Federation’s (ECF) annual world cycling summit, Velo-city, gets underway on 6 September. The four-day conference is set to host six high-level plenary sessions, convening some of the biggest names in sustainable mobility and transport from around the world to discuss the most important topics in cycling.

“Cycle Diversity” will take centre stage as this year’s main theme and will be the topic of discussion for Monday’s opening plenary. Other important topics that will be explored across the rest of the five plenaries include global climate policies, green economies and sustainable tourism, active and inclusive cities, urban mobility innovation and rethinking cities to ensure cycling as the new normal. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what’s in store for each plenary session!

Opening Plenary: Cycle Diversity

Kicking off the conference on Monday at 9:00, this session will focus on the main topic of Velo-city 2021. “Cycle Diversity” covers a range of different contexts, including political landscapes, climate, natural and human-built environments, social disparity, age, gender and ability. Speakers will discuss how the bicycle can be used as a symbol of empowerment, exploring different examples of how cycling can be utilised as a tool for creating more inclusive societies.

“When we took office at the Municipality of Quelimane in 2011, cyclists were considered second-rate citizens, excluded and left out without rights,” explained Manuel de Araújo, Mayor of Quelimane, Mozambique. “Today, they are called ‘Sons of Araújo’. They feel like first-class citizens, the owners of the city!”

Plenary 2: “Climate policies – the new gateway for cycling towards a green recovery”

Happening on Tuesday afternoon at 16:00, this plenary will explore the recent cycling boom that has been felt all around the globe. Building on this unprecedented economic phenomenon, plenary participants will be discussing the role cycling must now play in enabling a green recovery.

“There’s a true cycling wave happening across Europe, and cities are taking the lead. Cycling is healthy, affordable and helps us become climate neutral by 2050,” said Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President at the European Commission. “It is a great solution to decarbonize transport. So, let’s make cycling the European way!”

Plenary 3: “Changing gears towards a greener economy and sustainable tourism”

On Tuesday morning at 9:00, we will hear from high-level politicians who are propositioning cycling as the key for transitioning towards a greener economy and a more sustainable tourism sector. “Cycling for me represents the feeling of running for joy, freedom and lightness,” stated Alessandra Priante, Director of the Regional Department for Europe at the United Nations World Tourism Organization. “Cycling for me represents the feeling of running for joy, freedom and lightness. It allows me to smile and feel active, nurturing my spirit and connecting me with beautiful views. Life from a bicycle is just nicer and greater.”

Plenary 4: “Active and inclusive cities – building the future with the citizens”

Taking place on Tuesday afternoon at 16.00, speakers will explore how to build active cities, focusing on the role of grassroots movements, activists and advocates in building community programmes and initiatives to help tackle systemic inequality. Francesca Racioppi, Head of the European Centre for Environment and Health at the World Health Organization explains, “We already knew that cycling makes our societies healthier, greener and more inclusive. Now we know that it can make them also more resilient, and that it can greatly support the fight against global climate change. The time is ripe: let’s go for it!”

Plenary 5: “Urban mobility innovation”

Starting off Wednesday at 9:30, this session gathers leading experts in the fields of Mobility as a Service, automated vehicles and zero-emission technologies to discuss how they see the future of urban mobility and the role of cycling. Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General at Polis stated, “Working on sustainable urban mobility is my daily life at POLIS, and cycling is my daily mode and mood. We need to put the bike front and centre in the post-pandemic green recovery phase we are now entering. Let’s further accelerate the respacing of our city streets for active travel, something which was long overdue anyway!”

Closing Plenary: “Rethinking cities: cycling as the new normal”

Rounding off the conference on Thursday at 11.45, the closing plenary will showcase cycling as a key solution for a more livable and resilient urban future. Focusing on how cycling must become the “New Normal” for urban transport, you will hear from city representatives from around the world on how they are reinventing their urban landscapes to enable this.

Mayor Zoran Janković of Ljubljana, Slovenia declared, “I am delighted that Ljubljana is a bicycle-friendly city. At the City of Ljubljana, we are continuously updating our cycling infrastructure, ensuring that cycling is even safer and more pleasant. The Bicikelj bike-sharing system has made an important contribution, as it has been providing our citizens and visitors of Ljubljana with the most environmental- and health-friendly form of mobility for ten successful years.”

Not able to attend in person this year? Or just want to attend these sessions from the comfort of your living room? Then you’re in luck! For the first time ever, Velo-city will be available to attend online. Buy your digital ticket here to access the live stream for all plenary sessions and much more!