There is no doubt that cycling has already become key element of mobility. The consortium of partners from nine European countries cooperating in the Danube Cycle Plans project calls you to action. Use this unique opportunity and include necessary investments in the promotion of cycling into your National Recovery and Resilience Plan, as well as in programmes of the multiannual financial framework for 2021–2027.

Consider cycling in EU financing instruments

We would like to draw the attention of decision-makers on both national and international (macroregional and European) levels to the current opportunity of speeding up cycling promotion. As part of the €750 billion NextGenerationEU extraordinary recovery instrument, the Recovery and Resilience Facility recently agreed by the European Council helps member states addressing the economic and social impacts of the pandemic through their corresponding national plans ensuring green and digital transitions to become more sustainable and resilient. Meanwhile, the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) of the EU is at the starting line, providing a long-term budget of more than €1 trillion to support development, modernisation, innovation and traditional policies in the member states.

Cycling – an important mobility solution during COVID-19 crisis

In the challenging times of COVID-19 pandemic, cycling has been one of the very few sustainable alternatives to collective forms of mobility, providing people with a means of transport for essential trips while fully keeping social distance and meeting the minimum requirements for daily physical activity. Cities has been quick to encourage its use and answer to the growing modal share of cycling by establishing temporary bike lanes and signposting new recommended itineraries. Bike couriers have been playing a crucial role in satisfying the skyrocketing home delivery demand in city centres. In light of travel restrictions, many countries have experienced unexpected growth in recreational cycling and cycle tourism, too.

Danube Cycle Plans call to action

Danube Cycle Plans will provide nine European countries (eight EU member states and the pre-accession country Serbia) with national cycling plans and cycle route networks on the basis of macroregional plans. Mentoring programmes, trainings and project conferences will ensure that all countries will be prepared for the improvement of cycling conditions and fostering the use of bicycles. Although the consortium addresses the challenges of cycling promotion by ambitious aims, the main objectives by the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and the above-mentioned European strategies, namely safe, sustainable and smart mobility, can be achieved only if the responsible institutions on local, regional, national and transnational level implement pro-cycling measures.

More information:

• Call To Action: include cycling in recovery plans and multiannual programmes for 2021–2027 (full version, November 2020)
• 10 reasons why to promote cycling (JPG)

Photo: ©️ depositshoto / william87, ©️ Martina Moncekova