Advocacy is the best way to get funding and legislation that favours cycling, both of which are necessary conditions for growing bike industry. At the upcoming Advocacy Summit, ECF’s Cycling Industry Club (CIC) will be introducing an exciting new study on the job creation potential from cycling investment. CIC will also be showcasing a range of activities which will open new markets and grow existing ones.  

More than 200,000 jobs just waiting to be created

The Green Jobs Study, which aims to improve advocacy and investment, is the first step in the collaboration between the industry and advocacy groups. While the final results will be published in autumn, preliminary estimations exceed 200,000 new jobs directly linked to cycling investment. Alongside EBMA’s vision for the re-industrialization of Europe, which focuses on identifying the business models needed to bring cycling manufacturing back to the EU, the potential is remarkable. Now more than ever, it is imperative to work together and grow the market.

“We are helping governments and cities create better places to ride – and more riders means more demand for bikes and equipment. We are supporting cycling innovation by achieving international support for bike-sharing, e-bikes and cargo bikes while constantly putting cycling onto the new technology agenda", said Kevin Mayne, ECF Director of Development.

Details of this exciting initiative will be discussed in the upcoming ECF Advocacy Summit (August 28^th), which will take place during Eurobike 2014 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Register now!

EU Funding: Millions for SMEs through the Horizon 2020 Programme

Recent developments show that the EU understands that SMEs are the backbone of the European economy. Horizon 2020, the biggest ever research program which includes funds for sustainable industrial advancements, promises up to €17 billion in capital, support and key technologies for SMEs until 2020. ECF and the Cycling Industry Club strongly promote this new agenda and the numerous opportunities it presents for unlocking funds for the cycling industry. This filtered information can only become available to members of the CIC by ECF experts who focus on EU funding potential for cycling.

Advocating for better European-wide commitments to cycling

Extensive ECF campaigning of the highest European decision-makers has paid off with political results. A pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion in 56 countries and a Cycling Forum of active MEPs are two outstanding developments that hold huge value for the cycling industry and other parties interested in cycling promotion. As CIC continues to grow, it will be even better equipped to ensure that cycling is at the top of the political agenda and at the receiving end of as much funding as possible.  That grows the market and is good for everyone.