The Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced European governments and citizens to rethink our collective dependence on fossil fuels for Europe’s energy needs. Dependence on fossil fuels for transport alone produces 20-25% of Europe’s total carbon emissions. Thus, it is of crucial importance that we recognise the need to do things differently when it comes to transport and mobility, and to create the right frameworks that can enable more people to cycle towards energy independence.

On Friday 13 May, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) and the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) published a joint manifesto outlining eight effective recommendations for how the European Union, national governments and individuals can decrease their reliance on fossil fuels through cycling, whilst also making significant savings on fuel expenses.

宣言公开可用here。

The coalition’s first recommendation is for the EU to formulate its anticipatedRepowereu计划to maximise cycling’s potential to save fuel. REPowerEU, announced in March 2022, is the European Commission’s plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels and to access energy securely, sustainably and affordably. This is a chance for the Commission to truly incorporate sustainable mobility solutions – through more cycling, as well as walking and public transport – into policy and financial frameworks that enable national governments to import fewer fossil fuels and for individuals to achieve significant savings.

The manifesto also recommends that national governments make cycling more financially attractive, build more cycling infrastructure, embrace cycling for business, goods and services, reduce motor vehicle speed limits and institute more frequent car-free Sundays. At the individual level, ECF, CIE and CONEBI encourage people to replace car trips with bicycle trips during the week, and to take cycling holidays.

吉尔·沃伦, CEO of ECF, said: “Many people want to use their cars less and travel more sustainably and affordably. We saw as much in the research that has emerged about the frequent use of cycle lanes and infrastructure cities through Europe installed during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Individual actions are important, but the EU and national governments need to come through to provide the right infrastructure and fiscal and financial incentives to enable the shift to more cycling and greater energy independence.”

Kevin Mayne, CEO of CIE, said: “Cycling is the fastest opportunity in mobility to deliver REPowerEU and make progress on the EU’s climate goals in its Fit for 55 package. We estimate that one-eighth of Russian oil imports to the EU used for road transport can be removed by transition to more cycling, with comprehensive co-benefits in emissions reductions, health, congestion, road safety and economic growth.”

曼努埃尔·马西里奥（Manuel Marsilio）Conebi总经理说：“欧盟和成员国为加速骑自行车的行动可能会带来很高的影响结果。当前对欧盟恢复和弹性设施的国家分配中骑自行车的承诺应加倍。应增加为国家气候计划和欧盟结构性资金骑自行车的融资。快速注入金融投资的措施，这些措施使更多的人在安全的基础设施，直接的财务激励措施中骑自行车是减少我们集体依赖化石燃料运输的最快方法之一。”

宣言公开可用here。