6 days, 450 kilometres, 25 cyclists from 5 European countries, 1 EuroVelo route. Representatives of two European projects, Danube Cycle Plans and SABRINA, together with the EuroVelo coordinators, symbolically brought the goals of the Vienna Ministerial Declaration and the pan-European Masterplan for Cycling Promotion from Vienna, where it was adopted, to Ljubljana, where the world's largest conference on bicycle transport, Velo-city 2022, is just beginning.

Cyclists from five European countries (Austria, Slovenia, Czechia, Romania, and Hungary) have set on a 450 km journey from Vienna to Ljubljana, to promote the importance of cycling and showcase, that with cooperation we can achieve goals faster and more effectively. Along the way, they met with the ministries and representatives of THE PEP (Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Program), representatives of municipalities and tourism boards, cycling coordinators and NGOs, learning what they are doing to promote cycling and sharing with them the aim of the two projects (Danube Cycle Plans and SABRINA) and the economic benefits of the EuroVelo long distance cycling connections.

The ride started in Vienna at the Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of Austria. Photo: Jan Hajšen

The ride was more than 450 km long with 4,200 m of elevation. Photo: Jan Hajšen

One of the visions for this cycling journey was symbolically taking the Pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion, from Vienna to Ljubljana, where the Velo-city conference 2022 is about to start. This document was the first comprehensive document on cycling policy transcending the EU adopted on May 18, 2021 on the 5th High Level Ministerial Meeting of THE PEP in Vienna. Amongst others, goal of the Pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion is doubling the amount of cycling in the region by 2030.

By signing the “letter of support”, representatives of the municipalities and other institutions committed themselves symbolically for the goals of the Plan and do what is in their power to help reach it.

Herbert Janschka, Mayor of Wiener Neudorf was amongst those who have supported the goals of the Pan-European Masterplan for Cycling Promotion. Photo: Jan Hajšen

The group of 25 riders was set on the way by Mrs. Leonore Gewessler, Minister of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of Austria and Mrs. Jill Warren, the CEO of ECF (European Cyclists Federation).

Mrs. Leonore Gewessler, Minister of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of Austria and Mrs. Jill Warren, the CEO of ECF (European Cyclists Federation). Photo: Jan Hajšen

Their two signatures on the joint memorandum, which supported the objectives of the Pan-European Masterplan for Cycling Promotion, were gradually supplemented by another 12 representatives of the municipalities and tourism development agencies from Austria, Slovenia and Czechia.

Meeting in Celje municipality, Slovenia. Photo: Jan Hajšen

In addition to promoting cycling, the trip also aimed to gain personal experience for further work on two projects - Danube Cycle Plans and SABRINA. For more about the goals of the individual projects please see the article on the Interreg Danube webpages.

The journey along the EuroVelo 9 route brought also an important experience for the riders who represented institutions from 5 European countries. Photo: Jan Hajšen

"As we have had the opportunity to experience the route for ourselves, the improvement of standards for safe and comfortable routes for daily use by people of all ages and abilities is still ahead of us. Creating quality infrastructure for cyclists will not be possible without the cooperation of the municipalities, regions and state, " evaluated Gregor Steklačič from the Slovenian Ministry for the Infrastructure, the Slovenian National Cycling Coordinator and the Vice-Chair of the UNECE Group of Experts on Cycling Infrastructure Module. Slovenian Ministry for the Infrastructure is one of the project partners of the Danube Cycle Plans.

Discussion before the ride. Photo: Jan Hajšen

"The Pan-European Master Plan for Cycling promotion paves the way to a more cycling-friendly Europe. From THE PEP we welcome and support the initiatives of the European projects Danube Cycle Plans and SABRINA, as an important contribution to its implementation. European cooperation is the key to success, " added Robert Thaler, Vice Chairman of THE PEP (Transport Health Environment Pan European Program).

The group of cyclists arrived in Ljubljana on Sunday 12 June, where they were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Ljubljana, Janez Koželj, who is also the ambassador of the project Danube Cycle Plans.

"The slogan of the World Cycling Summit Velo-city 2022 in Ljubljana is »Cycling the Change« while butterflies are logo of the event. They are symbols of inspiring transformation, endurance, hope, life and change for the better," said Mr. Koželj in his welcoming speech. As he further concluded: "…when we cycle, we are changing ourselves, our surroundings, and our environment; by our presence on roads and trains we influence public opinion." 

In Ljubljana, three Danube Cycling Ambassadors met. Left: Jaroslav Vymazal, City councillor for transport of the Jihlava City, Janez Koželj, Deputy Mayor of the City of Ljubljana and IIonuț Maftei from Bike in Time in Romania. The Danube Cycling Ambassadors are involved in the Danube Cycle Plans projects. Photo: Jitka Vrtalova

The ride was organized by the Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of Austria and the Slovenian Ministry for the Infrastructure, together with local partners Radlobby Österreich, Radlobby ARGUS Steiermark and Radkompetenz Österreich nd Slovenian Cycling Network.

Group of cyclists reached Ljubljana on June 12, 2022. Photo: Jan Hajšen

Photogallery

• DAY 1 (Kick-off + Wien - Wiener Neudorf)
• DAY 2 (Neudort - Bad Radkesburg) 
• DAY 3 (Bad Radkesburg-Maribor)
• DAY 4 (Maribor-Celje)
• DAY 5 (Celje-Dolsko)
• DAY 6 (Dolsko-Ljubljana)

Photos: Jan Hajšen

Map of the ride: see more HERE

Pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion: see more HERE

List of signatories of the support for the goals of the pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion:

• Leonore Gewessler, Minister of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of Austria
• Jill Warren, CEO of European Cyclists Federation
• Jaroslav Vymazal, President of the Czech Partnership for Urban Mobility
• Herbert Janschka, Mayor, Wiener Neudorf
• Petra Haslinger, Chairperson of the Parliament Club, Baden
• Franz Dinhobl, city council Wiener Neustadt
• Marcus Martschitsch, Mayor of Hartberg
• Karl Lautner, Mayor of Bad Radkersburg
• Petra Pucko, director of municipal administration of Šentilj, on behalf of Štefan Žvab, Mayor of Šentilj
• Saša Arsenovič, Mayor of Maribor
• Uroš Rozman, Director of RRA Podravje
• Breda Arnšek, vice Mayor of Celje on behalf of Mayor of Celje, Bojan Šrot
• Franci Rokavec, Mayor of Litija
• Janez Koželj, vice Mayor of Ljubljana