Opening Plenary: Cycle Diversity

Cycling is the best way for all of us to build back stronger, together. This was the key message of this morning’s Opening Plenary, as high-level speakers from around the world took to the stage to share their own experiences in Cycle Diversity. “The more diverse we become, the stronger we will be,” said ECF President Henk Swarttouw, as he discussed the importance of getting people of all backgrounds to cycle more.

While the past year and a half has been an eye-opener for many in realising the benefits of cycling, for several others cycling will require a complete change of mindset. But how do we achieve this change? According to today’s speakers, the answer is often a matter of perception: we must normalise cycling for all people by changing how it is perceived on a systemic level.

“I transformed the bicycle into a political tool. By doing that I brought an excluded group of people into the mainstream of politics, and today cyclists are seen as first-class citizens of the city,” said Manuel de Araújo, Mayor of Quelimane City, Mozambique.

Monday’s session highlights

The parallel sessions started with a strong message: allowing people to experience the reshaped city first hand is tactical urbanism. The move from temporary to permanent bicycle infrastructure first requires a dialogue with city inhabitants about their needs and then requires trying out different solutions.

On the other end of the pavillon, attendees at the Green stage were being treated to several creative and positive cycling solutions that could alleviate transport poverty. A recurring theme during the session was to solve the lack of bicycle access for minorities. As Corra Boushel from Wheelness summarised: if they have the right support, a wide range of people will incorporate cycling into their lives, providing dignity and joy to everyone.

Following a buffet lunch, the audience’s appetite for inspiring debates grew, and on the plate was the topic of road safety. As succinctly put by Ana Tomaz, no one should feel at risk when using the road system. However, under the current system, most procedures focus on safety inside cars, but research shows 42% of cycling fatalities happen in rural areas without proper infrastructure (as well as sidewalks). In cities, risk is linked to traffic speed limits. To achieve lower speed limits, politicians must value human lives over speed and time.

The current health crisis provides plenty of opportunities to learn from, and several ECF Members shared their experiences about how cycling developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. While in the Netherlands and Belgium there was a big increase in recreational cycling to offset the drop in commuting, the pandemic in Hungary led to the creation of new subsidies and cycle lanes – despite some opposition from the ruling party.

Spotlight session - Rethinking cities: regaining space for people

How do we effectively take back urban space for people through sustainable modes of transport? How do we prioritise active mobility? Coherence is the magic word. Focusing individually on particular transport modes instead of a coherent network simply does not work. This was the key takeaway from this afternoon’s spotlight session, Rethinking cities: regaining space for people.

The session, moderated by ECF CEO Jill Warren, saw speakers Erik Tetteroo, Joakim Boberg, Melissa Gómez, Paul Cronin and José Viegas present various methodologies to increase active mobility in cities, each with a strong emphasis on the importance of well-organised networks and accessibility. 

The link between developing suitable infrastructure and ensuring its widespread accessibility was consistently referred to, summed up neatly by Viegas while discussing the effectiveness of affordable bike-sharing facilities: “build it, make it feel safe, make the bikes accessible, and they will come!” 

Plenary 2: Climate policies – the new gateway for cycling towards a green recovery

The second plenary of day 1, “Climate policies – the new gateway for cycling towards a green recovery,” shone a light on cycling and the climate crisis and kicked off with a keynote speech by European Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, who demonstrated the cycling community his support for the bicycle as “the best and most affordable way to decarbonise transport.”

Highlighting the Commission’s project to reach 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030, he declared that “a climate-neutral city is a cycling city” and listed three things the EU can do to “make cycling the European way”: a) use recovery funds on cycling, b) support alliances between cities and regions across Europe and c) identify the policies that advance cycling.

Following a keynote by Portuguese Environment Minister João Pedro Matos Fernandes, who praised e-bikes as a major game changer for the cities of the future, and a video speech from New Zealand MP Julie-Anne Genter, ECF Members took the stage for a panel debate centered around the role of cycling – and cycling organisations – in the green transition. “We need to get on the nerves of politicians. Together we are strong and together we are many,” said ADFC Vice-President Rebecca Peters, who was echoed by Fietsersbond Director Esther van Garderen’s recommendation that cycling advocates take a more confrontational style. Klaus Bondam, Director of the Danish Cyclists’ Federation, recognised that while the cycling revolution has started, “we haven’t won it yet,” wrapping up day 1 of Velo-city 2021 Lisboa on a hopeful albeit realistic note.

The best of the rest

Several side events took place throughout the day, each one presenting useful and insightful ideas. At the Garden stage, a dissemination event for the Heinrich Böll European Mobility Atlas certainly grabbed attendees' attention. Presenting facts and figures about transport and mobility across Europe, the Atlas highlights how the EU reduce its transport emissions while connecting citizens, creating green jobs and leading the innovation in the sector. The Atlas is readily available throughout the conference, so be sure to pick up your copy!

Fun zone

COMING UP ON DAY 2...

• Tuesday will see the focus turn towards cycle tourism and the economic potential of the cycling industry, as we kick off the day with “Plenary 3: Changing gears towards greener economy and sustainable tourism.”
• “Plenary 4: Active and inclusive cities - building the future with the citizens” will shine a light on the importance of grassroot movements in cities.
• WIN PRIZES! Make sure to stop by the ECF booth and take part in our ECF quiz, with great EuroVelo merchandise and other prizes up for grabs!

FURTHER READING AND DIGITAL ACCESS

• Velo-city 2021 Lisboa: Tuesday Daily Report – The route towards sustainable tourism and cities of the future.
• Velo-city 2021 Lisboa: Wednesday Daily Report – Women in Cycling and a Bike Parade through Lisbon.
• Velo-city 2021 Lisboa: Thursday Daily Report – The annual world cycling summit wraps up, heralding cycling as the new normal.
• Digital access: purchase digital tickets to get exclusive access to the full four days of content, including 50+ sessions and 250+ speakers in HD quality!