The eighth edition of the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum brought together cycling leaders, city representatives, mobility experts, event organisers and advocates from around the world in Athens, Greece, on 10-11 May 2026.
Organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in collaboration with the City of Athens and Kyvernitis Travel Group, the two-day Forum explored how cycling can help cities become more sustainable, healthy and inclusive, while strengthening tourism, improving road safety and leaving long-term social and economic legacies through cycling events.
Hosted at the Athens Conservatoire, the Forum featured keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, technical exchanges and immersive cycling activities linked to the Greek international stage race, the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas, offering delegates the opportunity to experience Athens’ evolving approach to active mobility first-hand.
The Forum officially opened with welcome addresses from UCI President David Lappartient, Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas, President of the Hellenic Cycling Federation Vasilios Diamantopoulos, President of the European Olympic Committees Spyros Capralos and Managing Partner Kyvernitis Travel Group George Kyvernitis.
UCI President David Lappartient said: “Cities around the world are increasingly recognising cycling as a powerful tool for healthier communities, more sustainable transport systems and stronger local economies. At the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum here in Athens, we have seen inspiring examples of collaboration, innovation and ambition that will help shape the future of active mobility worldwide.”
Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, added: “We are building a new culture of mobility in Athens. A culture that prioritises walking, cycling and sustainable mobility, not as alternative options, but as the foundation on which a modern city should operate. For the first time in the history of the City of Athens, we are creating a municipal transit system. At the same time, we are planning a 17-kilometre cycling network while completing a new network of 50 bicycle parking and e-bike charging stations. The honorary distinction from the UCI is an important international recognition of the efforts Athens is making to become a more sustainable, more human-centred and more functional city for all.”
George Kyvernitis, Managing Partner, Kyvernitis Travel Group, said: “Hosting the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum in Athens has been a privilege for us at Kyvernitis Travel Group. This event brings together global leaders who share a common vision for more sustainable and people-centred cities. We are proud to support an initiative that not only promotes cycling, but also creates lasting connections between sport, tourism and urban development.”
An impressive keynote was given by Carly Gilbert-Patrick, Secretary-General of the International Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLOCAT), with a call to action to the Forum delegates, including the many city representatives, to fully harness the power of sports and use it to influence decision-makers to promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transport. In her own words: “investing in cycling is the answer”.
During the Forum, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, and the President of the Rwanda Cycling Federation, Samson Ndayishimiye, officially received the UCI Bike City label awarded to Kigali. The capital of Rwanda joins the international network of 31 UCI Bike Cities and Regions thanks to its commitment to cycling development and sustainable mobility, coupled with its role as host of the UCI Road World Championships in September 2025.
During the Forum, speakers examined major themes shaping the future of cycling and mobility worldwide, including the following:
Cycling tourism. The participants explored how tourist destinations are using cycling to attract visitors and support local economies, with contributions from representatives of the European Cyclists’ Federation, Fiera del Cicloturismo, Greek Cities for Cycling NGO and Outline.
Sustainable urban planning. Discussions focused on how cities are redesigning street networks and public spaces to encourage cycling and improve urban liveability, featuring contributions from Copenhagenize, C40 Cities, Ilioupoli and the UCI.
Event legacy. Cycling events can be drivers of sustainable tourism and community engagement. Speakers shared experiences from events including the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas, the 2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hulst (the Netherlands), and legacy and tourism initiatives connected to UCI Bike City Wollongong (Australia) and Visit Lahti (Finland).
Road safety. Participants discussed the importance of cross-sector collaboration to create safer environments for cyclists and vulnerable road users, with input from international experts from UEFA, VOM, the National Technical University of Athens and the UCI.
Alongside the conference programme, delegates participated in a series of cycling activities across Athens, including bike tours of the city, a community ride on the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas circuit and the opportunity to witness the finish of the race in the Greek capital.
During the official dinner held at Athens City Hall, the winners of the 2026 UCI Cycling for All & Sustainability Awards were revealed.
The Forum concluded with the announcement that UCI Bike City Tokyo (Japan) will host the next edition of the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum, to be held on 14-15 November 2027.
Since its launch in 2018, the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum has become the UCI’s flagship annual conference dedicated to sustainable and active mobility, bringing together leaders and experts from across sport, transport, urban planning and public policy to exchange ideas and showcase best practices implemented in different countries.