The bicycle is playing an increasingly major role in the European recovery plans. The Italian region of Lombardy, one of the most relevant economic areas of Europe, has been the latest to announce a great budget to promote cycling: 115 million euros exclusively allocated to stimulate cycling over the next year.

Both the lives of Europeans and the economy have been seriously impacted by this health pandemic. However, this crisis also brings an opportunity to improve society. This time there is no debate: the bicycle will be part of the solution. Milan’s region, Lombardy, is one of the regions most affected by the coronavirus across the world. In order to boost economic recovery with an eco-sustainable approach, it has announced its own ''Marshall plan'': the regional authorities have decided that cycling will play a key role in this regeneration.

A record cycling budget in Italy and Europe 

Italy's most populated region has unveiled a regional investment of 3.5 billion euros allocated to municipalities, provinces and other entities of Lombardy. From the overall recovery package, 115 million euros will go exclusively to promote “cycling actions”. This investment is equal to 11.5 euros per capita - an unprecedented investment for the country and also one of the largest funds created during the coronavirus for active mobility.

Following the cycling plans released by Ireland and the UK a few weeks ago, Lombardy is now the European leadership in cycling funding. Indeed, the Lombards’ investment almost doubles the cycling budget of about 7 euros per capita yearly that the British islands announced recently. Although it is true that this regional plan does not imply a nation-wide impact, like in Ireland and the UK, it represents an important step forward for Southern Europe. 

Yet, these positive figures are far from the best cycling pupil in Europe: the Netherlands’ cycling budget averages 30 euros per capita per year. In any case, more and more regions and countries are joining the cycling wave sweeping Europe. These growing investments show that Europe is beginning to realize that the only way to ensure a more resilient and sustainable future is cycling.  

The recovery funds constitute a window of opportunities that Europe cannot afford to waste in order to build a green future. Policymakers need to seize this moment to unlock the great potential of cycling to rebuild their countries and regions and meet the EU climate goals.