The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) is pleased to announce that the City of Leipzig has won the bid to host Velo-city, the world cycling summit, in 2023. ECF chose the German cycling city in recognition of its sustainable urban development policies, its progress and further ambitions for cycling, and its attractiveness as a venue for the world’s leading cycling conference. Leipzig will be the first German city to host Velo-city since Munich in 2007.

Burkhard Jung, Mayor of Leipzig: “The bicycle can and will play a major role in the upcoming urban mobility transformation, and it should be allocated the required road space for people to cycle around quickly and safely. We expect Velo-city to bring us new impulses for strengthening cycling and rebalancing the different modes of transport.”

Set to take place on 9-12 May next year, Velo-city 2023 Leipzig will be jointly organised by ECF, the City of Leipzig and Leipziger Messe GmbH. Velo-city, the annual world cycling summit, attracts over 1,400 delegates from more than 60 countries. Like no other event, Velo-city offers a knowledge-exchange and policy-transfer platform where advocates, cities, decisionmakers, academics and industry leaders meet to shape the future of cycling. Following the highly successful Velo-city 2021 Lisbon, the next edition will take place in Ljubljana on 14-17 June 2022 under the theme “Cycling the Change.”

Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation: “We are delighted to bring Velo-city, ECF’s flagship event, to Leipzig in 2023. Mayor Jung and his team are committed to transforming Leipzig into a greener, healthier and more liveable city by redistributing public space, building more cycling infrastructure and investing in public transport. With 32% of Leipzigers already cycling daily or several times a week, the new cycling development plan 2030+ is set to boost cycling levels further. We look forward to bringing Velo-citizens to this inspiring and welcoming city.”

Velo-city 2023 will be an opportunity for the cycling community to experience a fascinating city that has not only been reinventing itself over the years, but whose urban development is deeply intertwined with its unique history.

The Peaceful Revolution of 1989, the pivotal event that would ultimately lead to German reunification, began in Leipzig. Before the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the city was characterised by open-cast coal mines, elevated air pollution and low-quality infrastructure. Since then, the city has undergone considerable change towards a more vibrant and liveable city, including by restructuring its public space and building a comprehensive cycling network.

Through its ambitious cycling policies, cycling levels have doubled over the past 20 years, currently accounting for 19% of the modal split. Between 2010 and 2020, Leipzig’s cycle network grew from 376 km to 526 km, and by 2030 the city aims to increase the modal share of walking, cycling and public transport to 70%.

More info:

•     The City of Leipzig is committed to making Velo-city 2023 as climate-neutral as possible.
•     Can’t wait until 2023? Join us this year in Ljubljana by getting your Velo-city 2022 Ljubljana early bird ticket.
•     Sign up to the Velo-city newsletter and stay in the loop as preparations get underway.

Photos: Andreas Schmidt