This Cycling Cities Campaign is the initiative of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP)* in response to the re-emergence of cycling as a popular form of transport during the Covid-19 pandemic. Building on this momentum, today’s launch will highlight cities like UCI Bike City Glasgow (Scotland), along with Mexican cities Merida and Mexico City, Jakarta (Indonesia), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), cities that are leading the way in rethinking their streets to promote cycling and combat climate change.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is delighted to be a partner of this new initiative, alongside the more than 30 global and regional organisations, which include UN Environment, the European Cyclists’ Federation, PeopleForBikes, UN-Habitat, and many others. As part of this new partnership, the UCI will collaborate with the ITDP and campaign partners to share resources and best practices, support and promote the campaign’s ambitions, and speak with one unified voice with regard to promoting safe cycling environments around the world.
The UCI already partnered with the ITDP in 2015, on the development of the Global High Shift Cycling Scenario report, which highlighted the significant future contribution that cycling could make to mobility as well as sustainability.
Cycling is the original zero emission form of transport, contributing to better air quality and improved physical and mental health. Now is the time to take action to bring about these and other benefits for the climate and for people around the world.
The Cycling Cities campaign is dedicated to making cycling a viable transport option for everyday trips in cities by providing an equitable and climate-friendly alternative to private vehicles. Safe, connected cycle lanes are critical to this vision, as are policies and educational campaigns that shift the perception of cycling. The campaign aims to bring safe cycle lanes to 25 million more people by 2025, and engage with at least 250 cities to improve infrastructure, prioritize funding, and build awareness to grow cycling.
Throughout the past few months, ITDP has brought together a diverse coalition of 25 cities and more than 30 global and regional partners committed to elevating cycling at the city, national, and global levels. Cycling Cities include: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Bengaluru, India; Bogota, Colombia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cairo, Egypt; Fortaleza, Brazil; Glasgow, Scotland; Guadalajara, Mexico; Istanbul, Turkey; Jakarta, Indonesia; Kampala, Uganda; Kigali, Rwanda; Kisumu, Kenya; Kohima, India; Los Angeles, United States; Merida, Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico; New Town Kolkata, India; Pimpri Chinchwad, India; Rajkot, India; Recife, Brazil; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico; Santiago, Chile; and Zapopan, Mexico.
With campaign cities at different stages in their cycling journeys, the exchange of knowledge and ideas is a major element of this effort. Capacity-building, coordinated actions, and open data tracking will also help these Cycling Cities successfully redesign streets for people.
ITDP CEO Heather Thompson said, “Building and transforming cities for people, not cars, has been a central pillar of ITDP’s mission for more than 35 years. With our Cycling Cities Campaign, we are helping cities reach climate goals and provide their residents with an active, safe, and necessary alternative to driving. This campaign has been years in the making and I believe that the time to act is now.”
UCI Director General Amina Lanaya said: “The UCI is committed to ensuring the growth of the everyday use of the bicycle and building bridges with organisations around the world working to achieve this vital objective. Further to the Global High Shift Cycling Scenario report developed with the ITDP in 2015, we look forward to enhancing this initial collaboration with the launch of this exciting campaign and with enhanced knowledge sharing amongst cities focused on cycling.”
Interested in taking part in the Cycling Cities campaign? Sign the Cycling Cities pledge or visit www.cyclingcities.itdp.org to learn more about the campaign.
*The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy is a global nonprofit that works with cities around the world to design and implement high quality transport systems and policy solutions that make cities more livable, equitable, and sustainable.