On 30 September, Deputy Mayor Janez Koželj launched Velo-city 2022 Ljubljana at a press event in the Slovenian capital, opening the call for abstracts as well as Super Early Bird registrations.

Taking place on 14-17 June 2022, next year’s Velo-city will be jointly hosted by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), Gospodarsko razstavišče d.o.o (GR), Dekon (PCO) and the City of Ljubljana – one of the most successful recent examples of a city that decided to close its city centre to cars and prioritise pedestrians and cyclists over motorised traffic.

In line with previous editions, Velo-city 2022 Ljubljana will build an interactive and engaging programme based on an international call for abstracts that is now open. Potential speakers are invited to share stories, best practices, data, innovation and analysis related to this year’s main theme, “Cycling the Change.”

Zoran Janković, Mayor of Ljubljana: “I am pleased that Ljubljana, the European Green Capital 2016, which is committed to sustainable development, is hosting such an important bicycle conference. We are proud that international experts have recognised our progress in the field of cycling, and that the European Cyclists’ Federation has entrusted us with the organisation of this meeting where we will highlight the latest activities, guidelines and measures in the field of bicycling in cities.”

Henk Swarttouw, President of ECF: “In times of crisis, cycling is part of the solution. We must change the way we move and live to regain control over our emissions and global warming – now. Velo-city 2022 Ljubljana is a high-level opportunity for policymakers, academia, industry and consumers to acknowledge the key role of cycling in a sustainable, more liveable world.”

About this year’s main theme: “Cycling the Change”

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and challenged our view of reality. Cycling plays a significant role in driving and maintaining the increase in active mobility beyond the crisis and in achieving our global climate goals. Cycling is the “wind of change” needed in urban development. It reveals itself in infrastructural redesign, the reallocation of public space and the development of new sharing concepts. It aims at building cities for people and finding innovative approaches to provide services to citizens, to bring people closer together. Cycling improves our quality of life and therefore has to be part of  the “new normal.”

Read more about the main theme and the five subthemes.

Get ready for Velo-city 2022 Ljubljana:

From advocacy organisations and decisionmakers to academics, city planners and industry, each Velo-city conference brings together all those involved in the policy, promotion and provision for cycling, active mobility and sustainable urban development:

• Super Early Bird tickets for Velo-city 2022 Ljubljana are for sale until 31 October 2021.
• Submit your abstract online on the Velo-city 2022 Ljubljana website.
• Sign up to the Velo-city newsletter and stay in the loop as preparations for Ljubljana get underway.
• Did you miss Velo-city 2021 Lisboa? Digital tickets are still available for a limited time and provide full access to the 50+ plenaries and sessions.