As co-chair of the sub-group who wrote this paper, ECF worked closely with national and city governments, industry leaders, and civil society to develop recommendations that would have the biggest impact in achieving the EU’s strategy to achieve zero road deaths by 2050, a goal known as “Vision Zero.”, making Europe’s roads safer for people walking and cycling.

In its paper, the EGUM strongly advocates that achieving these ambitious goals requires policies that prioritise and protect walking and cycling. To achieve this, the expert group recommends the Commission to:

1. Issue a formal recommendation to EU governments to implement 30km/h speed limits in urban areas
2. Develop quality requirements for road infrastructure to be used by pedestrians and cyclists
3. Acquire more knowledge and competence on the issue of distraction by motor vehicle users, and to eventually regulate the use of touchscreens and mobile phones in cars
4. Regulate automotive technologies, assisted braking and automated driving systems, to ensure they operate safely and don’t endanger people who walk and cycle on the roads
5. Implement limitations on the design, weight and power of motor vehicles “as a crucial way to decrease road deaths and serious injuries”
6. Ensure that the EU’s flagship transport policy, the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), integrates cycling and walking infrastructure and prioritises the safety of people who walk, cycle, use light electric vehicles and micromobility devices.

These recommendations were endorsed by nearly all members of the EGUM, which is nearly 80 people representing national and local governments, civil society and industry.