Europe Adopted The Master Plan For Pan-European Bicycle Promotion

From May 17 to 18, 2021, at the Fifth European Ministerial Conference on Transport, Health and Environmental Planning (THE PEP) hosted by Austria, the "Master Plan" for the promotion of pan-European bicycles was signed and passed.

The main content and goal of the meeting is to adopt the "Vienna Declaration". This also includes the first European master plan to promote cycling. The master plan developed under the initiative of Austria and France aims to provide impetus for active mobility across borders. By 2030, cycling in the pan-European region will double. Member states have also formulated for themselves a national bicycle strategy, promoted infrastructure expansion to achieve the goal of proactive travel, and more firmly rooted bicycles in other policy areas such as health policies and spatial planning.

Anchor and implement cycling uniformly in Europe

It is recommended to formulate a national bicycle traffic plan, incorporate traffic-friendly regulations into traffic laws and guidelines, and establish bicycle traffic infrastructure. It also mentioned sustainable investment and effective financing mechanisms, including circulation in the planning process, and promoting circulation through incentives and liquidity management. Improving health and safety, improving bicycle statistics and promoting bicycle tourism are also on the agenda. New technologies and innovations should be especially helpful.

"Transportation and mobility are our core levers to the future of life. With the transformation of transportation, we are achieving our climate goals. Active mobility not only has a positive impact on the climate, but also in terms of health and the creation of many new green jobs. Obviously. This is why we are happy to support the Vienna Declaration and the resolution on the first pan-European master plan to promote cycling," Austrian Federal Minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Transport, Innovation and Technology Leonor · Gesler said.

After implementation, it is expected to bring economic benefits of 260 billion euros per year

According to calculations, by 2030, the goal of doubling bicycle traffic will mean reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 8 million tons and reducing air pollution and traffic noise. There will also be 30,000 premature deaths due to lack of exercise every year across Europe. By reducing the number of sick days and exercising as preventive measures, it is estimated that 85 billion euros can be saved each year, and the economic cost of car accidents will also be reduced by 7.9 billion euros each year.

Positive effects can also be seen in employment. The bicycle industry has created 750,000 jobs in Europe. If the amount of cycling in the European Union doubles, 400,000 new jobs will be created, especially in the infrastructure sector. Sales of the cycling industry are expected to increase by 3.5 billion euros. Overall, if the goal is achieved in 2030, the economic benefits of cycling in Europe will reach 260 billion euros per year.

In order to continue to meet the requirements of the Vienna Declaration, Austria will take the lead in establishing an international "PEP Active Action Competence Center" to support member states' capacity building, best practice exchanges and implementation plans.

About PEP (Pan European Healthy Environment Program)

PEP is a program of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which links the transportation, health and environmental sectors of 56 countries. The ministerial meeting, held every five years, aims to promote cross-sectoral cooperation in the fields of transportation, health and the environment in a pan-European context. The future will set milestones for the movement of environmental protection and health awareness.