On the 27-28th of September 2022, a national cycling conference was introduced in Hungary. As the State Secretariat for Active Hungary (responsible for cycling) planned to organize a one-day conference about cycle commuting (everyday cycling), our conference focused more on cycle tourism, because the National Cycling Working Group (NCWG), who supported us in the organization, was committed to have a two-day-long time plan. The NCWG chose the main aims, the host city (Veszprém), the topics and the potential presenters.

Overall, 139 people participated in the event, but unfortunately the fluctuation was relatively high: sometimes presenters (or participants) could only be present on just one day, or on just one or two sections.

Basically one section started with short presentations and then there was a round table discussion moderated by the leader of the section (who was usually one of the NCWG members). On the first day, there were four sections: Round table discussion with the national operative leaders of cycling; Enterprises that operate clearly in market competition; What does cycling (and cycling tourism) mean to settlements?; Best practises from all over Hungary. In the evening the participants played bowling and pool billiard after the dinner which gave a perfect opportunity for informal networking.

We started (and ended) the second day with optional little cycling tours around Veszprém. The second day had three sections: The network of cycle friendly service providers; The controversial aspects of cycling in forests in Hungary; Marketing tools in the service of cycling.

Source: Tamás ANDREJSZKI PhD, Research Centre for Transport Development, Budapest, Hungary