The biggest Velo-city conference ever

With a theme that captured the essence of Velo-city, “Connecting through cycling”, Velo-city 2024 took place in Ghent from 18–21 June, emphasising the many ways cycling connects people, places, and communities. Whether it was Ghent’s 63 cycling bridges and renowned circulation plan, the exceptional programme, or the growing global enthusiasm for cycling, Velo-city 2024 Ghent became the largest edition yet, with over 1,600 attendees, 400+ speakers, 100+ exhibitors, and 19 technical visits.

The conference featured numerous exemplary initiatives from around the globe, illustrating how, as keynote speaker Janette Sadik-Khan aptly put it, “cycling is evolving from an alternative for the sporty into essential transportation for everyone.” Another standout moment was the bike parade organised by the Cycling Embassy of Ghent. Thousands of cyclists—a mix of international Velo-citizens and locals—wove through the city’s streets, energised by music and live performances.

Reaping the rewards of four years of campaigning at COP

This year’s Conference of the Parties (COP) was held from 10–21 November in Azerbaijan. It marked ECF’s fourth year of advocating for cycling and active travel at this critical global event, as a core partner of The Partnership for Active Travel and Health (PATH) and a long-time member of the SLOCAT Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport.

Our sustained efforts paid off: walking and cycling featured more prominently on the transport agenda than ever before. For the first time, active travel was included in a new COP breakthrough target and explicitly recognised by numerous government ministry officials as a key solution to reducing transport-related emissions.

In addition to speaking at nine events to promote walking and cycling, PATH launched an open letter urging national governments to include active travel in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are due in February 2025. The letter garnered support from over 370 non-profits worldwide and was proudly presented to six world leaders at COP29.

Local livelihoods and legacy at the EuroVelo & cycling tourism conference

The EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference 2024, held from 23–24 September in Viborg, Denmark, brought together around 150 participants from 24 countries. It provided the EuroVelo and cycling tourism community with a chance to connect and discuss the future of cycling tourism while exploring Viborg’s cycle trails, stunning lakes, and Nordic cycling culture. Under the theme "Legacy and localhood," discussions highlighted how major events like the Tour de France Grand Départ in Copenhagen spark cycling culture and local initiatives. Another key topic was the European Declaration on Cycling and its role in advancing cycling tourism development across the continent.

Explore more conference highlights and stay tuned for updates on the 2025 edition in Balatonfüred, Hungary, from 24–26 September. ECF is also seeking a city or region to host the 2026 conference. Could it be yours? Learn more and apply by 31 January 2025.

ECF awards ceremony

The ECF awards returned for their third edition at Velo-city 2024 Ghent, celebrating exemplary efforts to promote and enable cycling. This year’s ceremony was held in the iconic Velodrome ‘t Kuipke in Ghent, a venue rich in cycling history. With a new award category added, five cities were recognised for their remarkable achievements in cycling. Here are the winners:

• European Parliament: ECF Cycle-Friendly Employer Award, sponsored by JobRad
• City of Bologna, Italy: ECF Road Safety Award, sponsored by Geveko Markings
• Metropolis of Lyon, France: ECF Cycling Improvement Award, sponsored by Eco-Counter
• City of Quelimane, Mozambique: ECF Best Active Mobility Initiative Award, sponsored by the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
• City of Ghent, Belgium: ECF Cycling Infrastructure Award, sponsored by Verhofsté Group

PATH’s second annual symposium

In collaboration with coalition partners, ECF hosted PATH’s second annual symposium, bringing together over 300 participants and speakers to discuss effective walking and cycling initiatives. The projects presented ranged from grassroots NGO activities to innovations in the banking sector and government policies, demonstrating the diverse approaches to supporting active travel worldwide. Watch the webinar here.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

On 19–20 April, ECF and its members convened in Zagreb, Croatia, for the Annual General Meeting, hosted by ECF member Sindikat Biciklista. Taking place just three weeks after the adoption of the EU Cycling Declaration, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate this milestone achieved through collective advocacy. Key topics of the AGM included reviewing ECF’s 2030 strategy and sharing election campaign experiences. ECF also welcomed three new Associate members and Silvia Casorran as a new board member.

Advocating for cycling at the World Urban Forum

The World Urban Forum (WUF), hosted by UN-Habitat in Cairo, Egypt, from 4–9 November, served as another global platform for ECF to promote cycling. At this premier conference on sustainable urbanisation, ECF and PATH organised an official side event highlighting active mobility’s potential to meet climate goals and improve health and quality of life. The event emphasised the vital role of national governments in empowering cities to capitalise on active mobility’s potential and showcased practical applications of PATH’s knowledge tools. ECF also participated in other sessions, field visits, and invitation-only gatherings to engage with key stakeholders and build momentum ahead of COP29.