On 1st October, the next - and potentially final - trilogue meeting will take place between the European Parliament, European Commission and the Council of the European Union, to review the European Regulation on Rail Passengers’ Rights and Obligations. Cyclists’ associations and MEPs are seizing this last chance to call, once again, for a dedicated space for 8 assembled bicycles in all new and refurbished trains in Europe.
“This is our last great chance to change this regulation in favour of cyclists, and to make sure that the railway network is future proof. In the context of a climate emergency and the COVID-19 recovery, cycling has become European’s first choice when it comes to urban mobility. We should not miss this opportunity to combine two of the most sustainable modes of transport,”
- declared Jill Warren, co-CEO of ECF.
On Thursday, 24 September 2020, ECF, GRACQ, and Fietsersbond Belgium, marked the moment by sending a delegation to the Brussels-Luxembourg train station (next to the European Parliament), to highlight the difficulties to board a train with a bicycle. MEP Christophe Hansen (EPP) joined the action to show his support to cyclists and to his fellow MEPs taking part in the trilogue.
There is hardly a better way to do good both for the climate as well as the European tourism industry then by combining bicycles and trains. With millions of EU citizens going on cycle holidays, it is estimated that the sector contributes 524,000 jobs to the European economy. And it could be many more if taking bicycles on European trains became a “new normal”. However, there are still too many train connections all over Europe, especially the fastest most convenient connections, that do not allow the carriage of assembled bicycles, as highlighted in this Map. Still today, it is currently impossible to carry assembled bicycles on board 53% of the fastest train connections between large cities in Europe.
“In Belgium, we cannot go onboard a train with our bicycle systematically. Even when it is feasible, it is often inconvenient,”
- said Luc Goffinet, Policy Officer at GRACQ.
We call on the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council, to ensure that the revised regulation entitles passengers to take bicycles on board trains and that at least 8 dedicated bicycle spaces are available on all new and refurbished trains in Europe. The requirement should apply within one year after the entry into force of the revised regulation.
"The European Parliament's stance is very ambitious. We want the new trains to be equipped with eight dedicated spaces for bikes. It is of major importance to meet the citizens' expectations as well as to send a significant message when it comes to climate change. We will therefore remain firm during the interinstitutional negotiations. And I really hope the Member States will behave responsibly,
- concluded Karima Delli, Chair of the Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament.
