Letter to Minister Varadkar from the ECF (today); see also Common Memorandum of cyclists’ user organisations

Re: Common Memorandum of cyclists’ user organisations on Irish, Lithuanian and Greek Trio Presidencies 2013 – 2014

Dear Minister, Dr. Varadkar,

This is a call to action from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) and its full member in Ireland, Cyclist.ie. We’re requesting you to give cycling the attention it deserves during the forthcoming Trio Presidencies 2013 – 2014.

Urban cycling is seeing a revival in many towns and cities across Europe. As cyclist representative organisations, we are wholeheartedly rejoicing and supporting this evolution; more cycling means healthier people, less urban congestion, and urban environments that are attractive to citizens and investors alike.

The good news is that in times of tight public budgets, cycling offers the highest return of investment among all transport the different modes of transport. Continue reading Call to action from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) →

Ever wondered how the Dutch did it? Here’s how

There are 35 million daily cyclists in Europe. There are more than 100 million Europeans that cycle regularly. Yet the European Institutions are failing to take cycling seriously as a mode of Transport.

Strategic EU documents keep failing to mention cycling and it is at risk of being sidelined by more powerful lobby interests.

It’s time for this to change.

Important budgets are being decided between now and 2014, and we want to stop this negative trend. It’s time for us to remind the European Parliament, a democratically elected body, that cyclists’ have a voice and a place in European policy.

By putting pressure on them, we make sure that cycling deserves recognition as an important mode of transport.

Action to Take: Send These MEPs An Email before Tuesday, December 18. We have prepared a draft statement, available here.

Please contact your country’s MEP from the Parliament’s Transport Committee. They can be found here

New York City has been radically shifting space on its main thoroughfares away from cars, providing high quality cycle facilities, more space for pedestrians and better bus networks. Now research is starting to show the economic and social benefits. Read article

New York City’s chief fiscal officer seems to think he’s a road safety expert. But did he even look at the numbers? … [ … more confusion over Helmets – see links under Cycle Helmets ]. Read article

Cycling is similar all over the world… or is it? Even in utility cycling the Dutch have some cycling habits that are quite exceptional. What defines Dutch cycling? A lighthearted look at cycling in the Netherlands. A society will only develop habits like these when people do not have to … See video

This paper evaluates policy options for responding to rising fuel prices. There is popular support for policies that minimize fuel prices through subsidies and tax eductions, but such policies harm consumers and the economy overall because they increase total fuel consumption and vehicle travel, and therefore associated costs such as traffic and parking congestion, infrastructure costs, traffic crashes, trade imbalances and pollution emissions. Read paper

On Sundays, cyclists and pedestrians have the city’s main avenue to themselves

Families riding bikes, children on roller skates and barely a car in sight; it’s hard to believe this is usually one of the busiest roads in Mexico City. Read article