ECF’s new elected board just got to work at a productive first meeting in Brussels on 13 October! Each new member brings valuable experience and expertise to the work of ECF, and holds a strong belief in cycling as a catalyst for progress and change. Some of the topics under discussion in this first meeting were ECF’s Vision 2030, development of networks, strengthening of governance of ECF, progress on ECF Velo-city conferences and the feedback on 2017 Annual General Meeting. 

One thing we are particularly pleased to see and mention is the board’s increased diversity which has been a specific ambition of the board and gradually kept improving throughout the years. We are proud that in 2017 elections we reached a positive result! We strongly believe that geographical and gender diversity, as well as variety in size and type of national organizations our board members are part of, show a better reflection of our community.

The board members come from eight different European countries, thus making it possible to share varied experiences as well as represent interests from Sweden to Spain and Germany to Ukraine. We are also delighted to welcome three women to the board, which we conceive as an important step in the direction of a more gender-balanced and inclusive cycling community.

Another important element to highlight is the presence of small and medium associations, as well as associated members. Half of our board members come from associations that took part in our Leadership programme specifically targeted towards small visionary organisations who have the most potential to become influential national leaders. 

Our new board members look forward to collaborate with our members, exchanging knowledge and experience and work together towards our shared goal of changing society in favour of cycling.