This became clear during the presentation of the ‘Efficient and Green Mobility’ package.
The package presented by the EU Commission comes with revised legislative proposals on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) directive and a communication on a new European Urban Mobility Framework.
The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) and the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) welcome this package.
According to the EU cities are the powerhouse of the modern economy and home to millions of people. Their inhabitants are increasingly facing challenges such as congestion, poor air quality and excessive noise.
Some of the elements of the package that ECF, CIE and CONEBI welcome in particular include;
- The call for cities to properly address cycling in urban mobility policies “at all levels of governance and funding, transport planning, awareness-raising, allocation of space, safety regulations and adequate infrastructure”.
- The proposal to require that TEN-T urban nodes adopt Sustainable and Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) that also serve to increase cycling levels.
- The acknowledgement of the need to accelerate the deployment of cargo bikes and e-cargo bikes for urban logistics and last-mile deliveries, notably as an integral part of Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULPs)
- The recognition that e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, as “the fastest-growing e-mobility segment in Europe,” are contributing not only to an increase in the number and length of cycling trips but to the strong industrial leadership of the European cycling industry.
