The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) has, alongside six major European civil society organisations, called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to establish a dedicated EU Road Safety Agency.
In
the joint letter, the organisations say that this agency can be an important tool to achieve the EU’s Vision Zero target of eliminating road deaths and serious injuries by 205, and to help create safer streets for people who cycle and walk.
Road transport remains the only major mode without an EU-level safety authority, unlike aviation (EASA), maritime (EMSA), and rail (ERA). This gap leaves fragmented oversight and uneven enforcement across Member States, undermining efforts to make roads safer and discouraging active, sustainable mobility.
Co-signatories to the letter are the following:
- Clean Cities Campaign
- Eurocities
- European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)
- European Transport Safety Council (ETSC)
- International Federation of Pedestrians
- POLIS
- Transport & Environment
ECF has also written an
exploratory document exploring the possibilities of a European Road Safety Agency. The document lays out the possible services and actions, including:
- Standardise and improve data collection, integrate new sources (connected vehicles, hospital data), and provide real-time monitoring.
- Offer expert advice on legislation, vehicle safety standards, and emerging technologies (e.g., automated vehicles, micromobility).
- Act as a focal point across EU Directorates-General, Member States, and external stakeholders.
- Train road safety auditors, support national authorities, and share best practices.
- Improve communication, transparency, and awareness campaigns.
- Align EU-funded projects with policy timelines and current needs.
ECF’s document says that an ERSA, legally established under EU law and funded through the EU budget, could give road safety the institutional weight needed to overcome fragmentation, respond to emerging risks, and integrate safety into Europe’s sustainable mobility agenda.
Further reading:
Joint Letter: The case for an EU road safety agency
Exploratory Document on the Establishment of a European Road Safety Agency (ERSA)
