European Cyclists' Federation

As one of its primary activities, ECF works to influence legislation in favour of cycling. Apart from raising general awareness around the benefits of cycling, its advocacy involves lobbying and engaging with politicians, policymakers and other stakeholders at the EU and European level as well as international fora such as the United Nations Climate Change conference.[2]

Graphic about one of the positive impacts of cycling, created for World Bicycle Day on 3 June 2021.

ECF defines seven policy areas for its advocacy:

• Modal shift
• Safety
• Cycling tourism and rural connectivity
• Infrastructure
• Cycling as part of urban mobility
• Thought leadership and knowledge transfer
• Cross-cutting issues[2]

EuroVelo is a network of 17 long-distance cycle routes that criss-cross Europe.[4] When completed, the total length of the EuroVelo network will be 90,000 km (56,000 mi). As of 2021, more than 51,000 km[5] (31,700 mi) of cycle routes were developed. EuroVelo routes are used by commuters, tourists and recreational cyclists.[6]

The EuroVelo network was officially launched in Logroño on 21 November 1997, and its first route, the EuroVelo 12 – North Sea Cycle Route, was inaugurated in 2001.[7]

EuroVelo is coordinated by ECF, while the development and operation of individual EuroVelo routes is carried out by National EuroVelo Coordination Centres and Coordinators, which are usually NGOs, commercial service providers or national, regional or local governments.[8]

The Velo-city conference series, also known as the annual world cycling summit,[9] is organised by ECF with a different host city every year. Velo-city brings together civil society organizations, cities, academics, experts and the cycling industry to discuss and share the latest ideas and developments from the world of cycling for transport and leisure.

Each conference takes place with a particular theme over the course of four days with a programme that consists of plenary sessions, side sessions, an exhibition area, technical visits, social events and a bike parade. Bringing together all those who are involved in the policy, promotion and provision of cycling, Velo-city conferences usually attract around 1,400 delegates, including cycling advocates, cities, decisionmakers and industry leaders.

The main exhibition hall at Velo-city 2021 Lisboa

Velo-city began in 1980 and has played an important part in the promotion of cycling ever since. Since the first Velo-city Global took place in Copenhagen in 2010, the conference has taken place in numerous locations:

• 2011: Seville
• 2012: Vancouver
• 2013: Vienna
• 2014; Adelaide
• 2015: Nantes
• 2016: Taipei
• 2017: Arnhem-Nijmegen
• 2018: Rio de Janeiro
• 2019: Dublin
• 2021: Lisbon
• 2022: Ljubljana[10]

Velo-city 2020 Ljubljana was forced to be postponed to 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic, Velo-city 2021 Lisboa was held with special COVID-19 safety protocols and as a hybrid event with online and digital elements that included live streaming and session recordings within a dedicated mobile app.[11]

ECF participates in various EU-funded projects together with other organizations and institutions.

The Cities & Regions for Cyclists network is managed by ECF and consists of cities and regions, mainly in Europe, that work to “promote the bicycle as a mode of transport and leisure.”[12]

The Cycle-Friendly Employer Certification Framework is a “European standard for cycle friendly companies.”[13] The certification scheme is run by ECF and implemented on the national level by national coordinators.

The Scientists for Cycling group works to exchange their knowledge and research in order to improve cycling. The main aims of the network are: to build a strong academic community doing research on cycling-related topics; to bridge the gap between the research on cycling issues, cycling advocates and decision makers; to disseminate the latest academic publications on cycling; to assist in developing the Velo-city conference program; to build up a more research based approach to cycling advocacy and policy.[14]