Velo-city 2023's host city, Leipzig, is one of Europe's greenest and most forward-thinking cities, making it an ideal place to share knowledge, showcase innovations, and inspire action to promote cycling as a safe, healthy, and sustainable mode of transport.

From the traditional bike parade to improv theatre, outstanding presentations to musical interludes, Velo-city 2023 had it all. The conference highlighted Leipzig’s ambitious efforts to reshape urban space and prioritise sustainable modes of transport, including cycling, walking, and public transport. Velo-city 2023 has not only been a platform for sharing knowledge, but also a catalyst for action, inspiring participants to return to their respective communities with a renewed commitment to creating more bike-friendly cities and prioritising sustainable transportation as a means of promoting healthier, more active, and more liveable urban environments.

Burkhard Jung, Mayor of Leipzig: “I was thrilled by the great atmosphere here. You can feel the positive spirit and the commitment. I'm sure the cycling community is a very special one: very open, friendly and mostly smiling. Leipzig is proud to have hosted Velo-city. And Leipzig will remain a Velo-city. Sustainable urban development can only be oriented toward people. We build our cities for people – human oriented cities.”

Jill Warren, ECF CEO: “Leipzig has a long history of Leading Transitions. Some of you may remember Leipzig’s pivotal role in the fall of the Berlin Wall 34 years ago. So it’s very fitting that Leipzig is now at the forefront of cities leading a green transition. It’s moving away from a car-centric mindset, towards climate neutrality and towards greater liveability for its citizens.”

16 Mayors sign declaration to make cycling a fully-fledged mode of transport for all

Velo-city has a long history of inspiring political leaders and decision makers to invest in cycling. This year was no exception, with mayors from 16 cities signing a declaration to make cycling a fully-fledged mode of transport for all.

The declaration says cycling will become a fully-fledged mode of transport when an increasing share of public funds are devoted to promoting cycling, high-quality and safe cycling infrastructure is built in towns and cities, more people are incentivised to cycle for transport, leisure, and tourism trips, and public authorities institute measures to fairly distribute road space, prioritising sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, walking, and public transit, while decreasing the volume and speeds of motorised vehicles.

The declaration was signed by the following cities: Leipzig (Germany), Mannheim (Germany), Heidelberg (Germany), Dublin (Ireland), Ghent (Belgium), Deinze (Belgium), Gdansk (Poland), Montreal (Canada), Koekelberg (Belgium), Molenbeek (Belgium), Copenhagen (Denmark), Curitiba (Brazil), Anderlecht (Belgium), Gibraltar, Porto Alegre (Brasil), Oslo (Norway)

Smart pedal pitch

The Smart Pedal Pitch is an annual international call for the most innovative and market ready cycle tech solutions to shape the future of cycling in cities, with the winners announced during Velo-city 2023. First prize went to Telraam, second to VELOVIO and third to See.Sense. The prize provides funds for start-ups and SMEs to help build better cities, cycling ecosystems and cycling technology. The Smart Pedal Pitch 2023 was organised by the City of Leipzig and SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator in cooperation with ECF and Cycling Industries Europe.

Next stop: Velo-city 2024 Ghent

For the next edition of Velo-city in 2024, Ghent, Belgium, will host the world cycling summit. The conference concluded with the handover of the Velo-city flag to next year’s host city. Filip Watteeuw, Deputy Mayor of Ghent for Mobility Public Space, and Urban Planning received the official Velo-city flag on stage. The flag will now under go an epic 700km+ journey, being carried by bicycle from Leipzig to Ghent.