ECF

For The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) is proud to publish its new report, “The state of national cycling strategies in Europe (2021).” This report provides a comprehensive overview, for the first time ever, of the status of national cycling strategies in 47 European countries, at a time of growing political interest across the world in cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transport. A national cycling strategy is a crucial policy tool for countries to develop and grow cycling’s modal share at the national level, with all the positive societal impacts that this generates. National cycling strategies are also instrumental if the world is to cut transport emissions quickly and effectively and avoid the worst of the climate crisis. With the adoption of the Pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion in May 2021, 54 countries in the region are now politically bound to develop and implement a national cycling strategy by 2030. By analysing data from 47 European countries, this report shows that most countries have a long way to go to reach this objective. Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation: “Last year’s signing of the Pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion was a milestone in international cycling advocacy and the culmination of years of hard work by ECF and its members. With more than 50 countries, covering all of Europe, now committed to adopting national cycling strategies by 2030, ECF is proud to continue taking the lead together with our members to monitor progress and help countries develop their strategies to grow cycling.” Fabian Küster, Director of Advocacy and EU Affairs at the European Cyclists’ Federation: “A national cycling strategy is an important instrument to develop cycling across a nation. Such strategies have long been in use in the traditionally more cycling-friendly nations of Europe, but recent years have also seen many Southern European countries begin to catch up. While large gaps remain, in particular in Eastern Europe, there are clear signs towards cycling becoming a new normal across the continent.” Of the 47 countries analysed, 13 currently have a national cycling strategy in place, while 10 have expired strategies that need updating. In 2021 alone, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany and Spain each adopted a cycling strategy, and five more countries are currently in the process of developing one for the first time. To reach the master plan’s 2030 goal, cut transport emissions and reap the many societal benefits of cycling, many countries must urgently begin the process of developing or renewing their national cycling strategy. The findings in this report will provide a benchmark against which ECF intends to publish annual update reports to track progress on the development, implementation and effectiveness of national cycling strategies in Europe towards 2030. Key findings: • In total, 23 European countries have at some point had a national cycling strategy (or similar policy document). • 13 countries currently have a national cycling strategy in place, including France, Germany and England. • In 10 countries, the national cycling strategy has expired, including in the cycling nation of Denmark. • Five countries are currently in the process of developing a national cycling strategy for the first time, including Greece, Italy and Ukraine. • 19 countries – mainly in the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus – have never had a national cycling strategy and are not yet in the process of developing one. • The most typical measures pursued in national cycling strategies are the promotion of intermodality, legal changes to highway codes and the development of a national cycle route network. • The duration of most national cycling strategies aligns with the term of the government that adopted it, while others are seven-year, ten-year or even 25-year strategies (Northern Ireland).