Message from Manfred Neun, ECF president.

In 2012 we said to you “Take the Lead” – Do not wait for others, take cycling into every platform and show the benefits to society.
And we did. ECF, its members, its networks and its supporters took the lead to put cycling into every agenda, from local to international. And we finished the year on a really high note because our collective efforts have secured two major successes at the EU level which show that our ambitions are possible.

“Take the Lead” was the motto, unleashing the momentum of the bicycle movement to put cycling into every platform.

In March we launched our ambitious ECF Vision 2020 at the AGM in Vienna. And we continued at the OECD’s global transport summit, the ITF 2012, explaining the role and the benefits of cycling in “Seamless Transport” especially the advantages of the first and the last mile. Together with our members, networks and supporters we took the lead from Vancouver to China as well as in every country in Europe.

Velo-city Global 2012 in Vancouver was our cycling summit, showing different aspects of why cycling is the solution now and how to take the lead right now. From that event the “Charter of Vancouver” was a big milestone. By moving cycling to the level of a human right we are able to address the United Nations and all decision makers in a new policy area.

As well as agenda setting our core advocacy programme ends the year with real momentum.

We met EU Transport Commissioner Sim Kallas in November, a meeting that showed that the Commission is a reluctant supporter of anything cycling. But within days of meeting him we secured two major successes that show the institutions cannot continue to ignore our movement.

Firstly our position on the EU level for the Pedelec regulations was confirmed with an overwhelming majority, and so cycling can grow further on in this clear legal frame.

And just this morning a fantastic team effort secured a breakthrough in our campaign for more investments into cycling infrastructure in the EU-budget 2014-20. By getting an EU Parliamentary amendment in favour of cycling into key transport infrastructure policy we have made a huge step.

The fact that our Italian members FIAB were so successful in their part of this campaign is part of our story too because FIAB is benefitting from our Cycling Industry Club funded Leadership Programme, this was their big breakthrough as contributors on the European stage too. But well done to all, a great collective effort.

What do we expect for 2013, the New Year?

“30 Years Anniversary of the ECF” means preparing intensively to see how we can use our celebrations to create further awareness for cycling.

We are looking forward to an AGM in Bratislava, and a Velo-city 2013 in Vienna, both in June. Together with our “Scientists-for-Cycling” network we already started the collaboration with the Austrian Academia, and also the “Cities-for-Cyclists” activities in Vienna are showing great promise.

We will take the advantage of this coming year to boost “Cycling Mobility” on the national levels – ensuring cycling is not neglected or underestimated by the decision makers.

So from me “Thank you very much” to all our members, colleagues, staff and boards. Successful advocacy is the result of team playing, hard work and preparations. And it is based on the shared fun of cycling.

Christmas Greetings and a Happy New Year!

MN