BICYCLE matters World Cycling Alliance
Why we need a World Cycling Alliance By Dr. Bernhard Ensink, Secretary General of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)
We live in the era of changing dynamics. Failing attempts to address complex issues such as climate change and physical inactivity have redirected efforts of problem solving from national governments to the international level. UN, OECD and the European Commission’s intentions to take action create a unique opportunity for cycling. Our responsibility is clear: we need to act now with our eyes in the future. And we need to go global. The European Cyclists’ Federation proposes the creation of a World Cycling Alliance as a centre of coordination, a platform of knowledge exchange and a strong advocacy voice targeting international organizations. WFSGI is doing a great job in sports representation, but there is nothing equivalent for daily and leisure cycling; that means that the momentum might go to waste. Cycling associations from Canada, Australia, USA as well as Kenya, Ghana and South America want to be part of the big debate and they request from ECF to take the lead. This consensus has been a major pursuit of ECF. Our yearly international event, Velocity, currently the largest venue of cycling enthusiasts in the world with 1,000 delegates from different sectors, shows the ample variety of future perspectives. A new narrative needs to be invented and answer the question: Why does the world need cycling? Perhaps the most common answer is that cycling benefits health. What is not accentuated enough is that cycling is also good for the economy. The HEAT (Health Economic Assessment Tool), developed by WHO, translates the health benefits and regular physical activity that cycling generates into hard cash. For example, Austria shows financial gain of EUR 405 million from cycling every year, based Bernhard Ensink has since May 2006 been Secretary General of ECF and Velo-City Series Director. He was previously Director of the Fietsersbond, Interim Director of the Milieufederatie Groningen (the Dutch Environmental NGO in the province of Groningen). He has been Vice Mayor of the Dutch city of Coevorden where his responsibilities included public affairs, spatial planning, environment, housing and finance.
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WFSGI MAGAZINE 2014
Cycling in Ghana: access to Education © Olivier Asselin/GAVI/2007
on the country’s current modal share of about 5 per cent. On European terms, if ECF’s goal of doubling the number of cyclists by 2020 materializes (from 7 to 14 per cent of daily transport, or from 35 to 70 million people) the potential financial benefits will approximately reach EUR 200 billion. In a time of shrinking budgets and increased spending in health, the argument gains additional importance. Another obvious answer for the benefits of cycling is that it is good for the environment. Again here, there is more than meets the eye. Following what specialists call the “chain of impact” we can trace the various positive consequences of cycling. For example, bicycle parking is up to 300 times cheaper than car parking, with one space fitting 10–20 bi cycles. Cycling as a means of mass transport emerges as well; the cost of 1km of urban freeway can build 150km of bicycle paths. China: a big market for bi cycles © AP1