ECF launches 27 country guides to unlock cycling investment
Richard Adams
The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) has released 27 guides - one for each EU Member State - to help local and regional authorities access cycling funding under the EU Structural Funds.
Achieving a lasting modal shift towards cycling will require sustained investment. In particular, there is a need for safe and comfortable cycle routes in urban, peri-urban and rural areas throughout Europe.
There are currently two main sources of EU funding available to achieve this:
- The EU Structural Funds as part of the regular EU budget
- The Recovery and Resilience Facility which was set up to address the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With 2021 marking the beginning of the new seven-year Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU, there is a significant opportunity to obtain significant EU funds for cycling.
To this end, authorities are encouraged to include pro-cycling initiatives in the programming documents for the European Regional Development Fund. In order to trigger significant modal shift, the ECF estimates that €6bn of investment will be required in cycling inftrastructure in the upcoming financial period (2021-2027).
The 27 detailed country guides outline show how to apply for EU funds, as well as outlining how the development of cycling transport and tourism can benefit national and local economies.
Country-specific evaluations are provided, and the benefits of cycling investments are outlined which can also help tackle many country-specific challenges. Several good practice examples are identified both in terms of cycling projects and references to cycling in programming documents.
Further information on the country specific guides EU funding for cycling can be found in the following websites:
Image by: Matthew Waring, Unsplash
