Cycling advocacy groups could benefit from the European Citizen’s initiative. With 1 million signatures, citizens can propose new laws.

Brussels is often seen as too bureaucratic and complex for the most citizens to comprehend, let alone influence. This may change as the EU unveiled the European Citizen’s initiative at the start of the month. Once an idea receives a green light, it has one year to gather 1 million signatures. The signatures must come from at least 7 countries and if successful will lead to a public hearing within the EU institutions.

“This is good news for Cycling Advocacy groups in Europe. But we’re going to have to form coalitions with other players in order to make a difference,” says ECF policy officer Martti Tulenheimo.

Cycling groups across Europe already know the importance of “not only talking about cyclists”. ECF members Fietsersbond, ProVelo and GRACQ have already been involved with 30km/h stakeholder groups, which advocate for lower speed limits . These positive actions could potentially be a model for the EU level. Websites such as Initiative.eu are seeking to make it easier for groups to form coalitions. 

It’s not as easy as it seems

Many people have criticized the new proposal as being good in principle, yet far too difficult for smaller players.

The New York Times Reports that:

“The initiative needs a million signatures before the proposal can be offered for law. The cost, which some groups estimate at a euro per signature, is prohibitive for all but the biggest players, critics say. Potential signatories, they add, may be scared off by the requirement to give personal details such as their national identification number or date and place of birth.”

Despite the inherent difficulties of the new idea, Tulenheimo remains upbeat: “It’s better to have the Citizen’s initiative than to have nothing at all.”

7% of Europeans cite cycling as their main mode of transport, which could potentially mean 35 million signatures.

More information:

• Dowload the European Citizen's Initiative Handbook
• Visit the Official Website
• Form coalitions on the initiatives.eu website
  

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About the Author

Julian Ferguson is the Communications Officer for the European Cyclists’ Federation. Originally hailing from Australia and a keen bicycle advocate, he plans one day to ride his bicycle from Brussels to Melbourne