European Cyclists' Federation
Encyclopedia
European Cyclists' Federation(ECF) is an umbrella federation for national cycling
organizations (organizations which promote bike for urban mobility) throughout Europe
.
ECF was founded in 1983 by 12 bicycle user associations. It has now 60 member organizations representing over half a million individual European citizens in 37 countries.
ECF stands for:
ECF runs the Velo-city Conference Series, the EuroVelo cycle route project and lobbies the European institutions on urban mobility issues, intermodality, climate change, safety and health.
(ECF Annual General Meeting, 21.06.98, Trondheim)
Velo-city began in 1980, and has played a part in the promotion of cycling since then.
Velo-city events do not just attract one type of profession, but bring together all those who are involved in the policy, promotion and provision for cyclists. This mixture of people, professions, skills and experience is a valuable component of the events success. The last Velo-city conference in Munich 2007 was the largest of its kind with almost 1,000 participants from 50 countries. The next Velo-city Conference will be held in Brussels from 12–15 May 2009. In response to growing demand from cities for expertise in cycling, ECF will make Velo-city an annual event. 2010 sees Velo-city in Copenhagen
from 22–25 June.
network has 12 routes with well over 40,000 km of bike paths in use. Thousands more are planned and when completed, it will total over 66,000 km. The network includes existing and planned regional and national cycle routes, crossing and uniting the whole European continent.
which was launched during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali
, Indonesia
.
during the European Road Safety Day 2007; ECF has also published a statement on the proposed Action Plan on Urban Mobility under the header: “Livable cities are cycling cities”, participated at public hearings and conferences .
and Thalys
. In September 2007, the European Parliament
(EP) and the Council have reached a Common Position on the third railway package
, which includes the Regulation on Railway Passengers’ Rights and Obligations, saying: “Railway undertakings shall enable passengers to bring bicycles on to the train, where appropriate for a fee, if they are easy to handle, if this does not adversely affect the specific rail service, and if the rolling-stock so permits.”
is on the forefront of the political agenda, ECF has the task to remind politicians of the potential the cycle can play as the most important zero emission vehicle.
ECF rejects the assumption that the necessary CO2-reductions in the transport sector will be achieved by “greening
” the private car. Thus ECF has published a declaration which states: “We call on all politicians and officials now to recognize the important contribution that cycling can, and must, make in tackling climate change. Please work with us to realize that potential and to guarantee a better quality of life now and in the future.”
wearing and even refrains from promoting helmets. Helmets create the image that daily cycling in an urban environment is a dangerous activity whereas it is clearly not. The most efficient way to increase safety is to promote cycling: the more cyclists are on the road, the safer it is, statistics show.
The WHO
recommends 30 minutes of daily activity , which best can be integrated into daily routines: ECF Member organizations have set up projects on “Bike to Work” and “Bike to School”, etc.
Full membership is open to European groups of cycle users who primarily aim at promoting the bicycle as an everyday means of transport or recreation, and who have paid the agreed subscription. This entitles them to vote at ECF AGMs.
Associate membership is open to:
European groups who do not meet the criteria for full membership but who support the aims of the ECF, cycling organizations from outside Europe or other bodies with an interest in cycling.
They pay the agreed subscription, receive material and may attend the AGM or working groups meetings, but do not have voting rights at meetings.
However, commercial undertakings and associations representing commercial interests who wish to express their sympathy for the aims of the ECF cannot become Associate member but the Management Committee may grant them the status of Supporting Member. The subscription depends on the type of organization.
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
organizations (organizations which promote bike for urban mobility) throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
ECF was founded in 1983 by 12 bicycle user associations. It has now 60 member organizations representing over half a million individual European citizens in 37 countries.
ECF stands for:
- To promote and encourage cycling throughout Europe and abroad
- Cycling policy at European level
- Cycle tourism as a sustainable economic factor
- Environment-friendly mobility
- Cycling as a health factor
- Cycling as part of intermobility
- Safety for vulnerable road users
ECF runs the Velo-city Conference Series, the EuroVelo cycle route project and lobbies the European institutions on urban mobility issues, intermodality, climate change, safety and health.
Mission
The European Cyclists' Federation is pledged to ensure that bicycle use achieves its fullest potential so as to bring about sustainable mobility and public well-being. To achieve these aims, the ECF seeks to change attitudes, policies and budget allocations at the European level. The ECF will stimulate and organize the exchange of information and expertise on bicycle related transport policies and strategies as well as the work of the cyclists’ movement.(ECF Annual General Meeting, 21.06.98, Trondheim)
Organization
The ECF is a legal entity registered under Belgian law as an ASBL (non profit organization). Its statutes are published in the Moniteur Belge of April 24, 1997General Meetings
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is the highest body of the ECF. The AGM traditionally takes place in May and is organized by one member organization. AGMs have usually been attended by about 40 - 50 participants from about 20 - 25 countries.The Management Committee
The Management Committee (MC) is elected annually by the Annual General Meeting. It consists of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 8 persons. It has a president, a treasurer and, optionally, one or more vice-presidents.Velo-city
Velo-city is widely respected as the premier international cycling planning conference series in the world.Velo-city began in 1980, and has played a part in the promotion of cycling since then.
Velo-city events do not just attract one type of profession, but bring together all those who are involved in the policy, promotion and provision for cyclists. This mixture of people, professions, skills and experience is a valuable component of the events success. The last Velo-city conference in Munich 2007 was the largest of its kind with almost 1,000 participants from 50 countries. The next Velo-city Conference will be held in Brussels from 12–15 May 2009. In response to growing demand from cities for expertise in cycling, ECF will make Velo-city an annual event. 2010 sees Velo-city in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
from 22–25 June.
EuroVelo – A cycle route network for Europe
The EuroVeloEuroVelo
]EuroVelo, the European cycle route network, is a project of the European Cyclists' Federation to develop 13 long-distance cycle routes crossing Europe. The total length is , of which more than are in place....
network has 12 routes with well over 40,000 km of bike paths in use. Thousands more are planned and when completed, it will total over 66,000 km. The network includes existing and planned regional and national cycle routes, crossing and uniting the whole European continent.
Cities for cyclists
The objective of the Cities for Cyclists network is to promote the bicycle as a means of transport. This will be achieved by spotlighting the policies and practices of a number of "cycle-friendly" cities across Europe and thereby encourage others to follow suit.Global Alliance for EcoMobility
ECF is a founding member of the Global Alliance for EcoMobilityGlobal Alliance for EcoMobility
The Global Alliance for EcoMobility is a non-governmental organization founded and launched in Bali on 10 December 2007, on the occasion of the 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference...
which was launched during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
.
Lobbying
In order to influence the position of European authorities, ECF is working on several issues :Green Paper on Urban Mobility
In 2007 the European Commission launched a consultation on urban mobility , now the Action Plan on urban mobility. In this framework, ECF met European Commission Vice president and Transport Commissioner Jacques BarrotJacques Barrot
Jacques Barrot is a French politician, who has served as European Commissioner for Justice , after four years as Commissioner for Transport and Commissioner for Regional Policy for eight months . He is also one of five vice-presidents of the 27-member Barroso Commission...
during the European Road Safety Day 2007; ECF has also published a statement on the proposed Action Plan on Urban Mobility under the header: “Livable cities are cycling cities”, participated at public hearings and conferences .
Promotion of cross-border cycle transport
In its paper called “The Promotion of cross-border cycle transport”, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) recommends that cycling should be integrated into transport and infrastructure policy in general.Bike and Train – Third Railway Package
Bicycle carriage on trains is increasingly difficult, in particular in high-speed trains such as ICE from Deutsche BahnDeutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn AG is the German national railway company, a private joint stock company . Headquartered in Berlin, it came into existence in 1994 as the successor to the former state railways of Germany, the Deutsche Bundesbahn of West Germany and the Deutsche Reichsbahn of East Germany...
and Thalys
Thalys
Thalys is an international high-speed train operator originally built around the high-speed line between Paris and Brussels. This track is shared with Eurostar trains that go from Paris or Brussels to London via Lille and the Channel Tunnel and with French domestic TGV trains. Thalys reaches...
. In September 2007, the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
(EP) and the Council have reached a Common Position on the third railway package
Third railway package
The third railway package is a collection of European Union legislation, intended to revitalise railways across Europe and open up passenger services to competition.-Overview:...
, which includes the Regulation on Railway Passengers’ Rights and Obligations, saying: “Railway undertakings shall enable passengers to bring bicycles on to the train, where appropriate for a fee, if they are easy to handle, if this does not adversely affect the specific rail service, and if the rolling-stock so permits.”
Climate Change
As the issue of climate changeClimate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
is on the forefront of the political agenda, ECF has the task to remind politicians of the potential the cycle can play as the most important zero emission vehicle.
ECF rejects the assumption that the necessary CO2-reductions in the transport sector will be achieved by “greening
Greening
Greening is the process of transforming artifacts such as a space, a lifestyle or a brand image into a more environmentally friendly version...
” the private car. Thus ECF has published a declaration which states: “We call on all politicians and officials now to recognize the important contribution that cycling can, and must, make in tackling climate change. Please work with us to realize that potential and to guarantee a better quality of life now and in the future.”
Helmets
ECF is against mandatory bicycle helmetBicycle helmet
A bicycle helmet is a helmet intended to be worn while riding a bicycle. They are designed to attenuate impacts to the skull of a cyclist in falls while minimizing side effects such as interference with peripheral vision...
wearing and even refrains from promoting helmets. Helmets create the image that daily cycling in an urban environment is a dangerous activity whereas it is clearly not. The most efficient way to increase safety is to promote cycling: the more cyclists are on the road, the safer it is, statistics show.
EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health
ECF underlines the fact that cycling generates also positive externalities in the field of health.The WHO
Who
Who may refer to:* Who , an English-language pronoun* who , a Unix command* Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism- Art and entertainment :* Who? , a 1958 novel by Algis Budrys...
recommends 30 minutes of daily activity , which best can be integrated into daily routines: ECF Member organizations have set up projects on “Bike to Work” and “Bike to School”, etc.
Members
Membership of the ECF is open to organizations which have an interest in the bicycle as an everyday form of transport or a means of recreation. Membership is subject to agreement by the majority of the existing members.Full membership is open to European groups of cycle users who primarily aim at promoting the bicycle as an everyday means of transport or recreation, and who have paid the agreed subscription. This entitles them to vote at ECF AGMs.
Associate membership is open to:
European groups who do not meet the criteria for full membership but who support the aims of the ECF, cycling organizations from outside Europe or other bodies with an interest in cycling.
They pay the agreed subscription, receive material and may attend the AGM or working groups meetings, but do not have voting rights at meetings.
However, commercial undertakings and associations representing commercial interests who wish to express their sympathy for the aims of the ECF cannot become Associate member but the Management Committee may grant them the status of Supporting Member. The subscription depends on the type of organization.
Full members
| Organisation | Website | Country |
|---|---|---|
| ARGUS | http://www.argus.or.at |  Austria |
| IG- Fahrrad | http://www.ig-fahrrad.org | Austria |
| Fietsersbond | http://www.fietsersbond.be |  Belgium |
| Fietsersbond | http://www.fietsersbond.nl |  Netherlands |
| GRACQ | http://www.gracq.org | Belgium |
| Udruga BICIKL | http://www.bicikl.hr |  Independent State of Croatia |
| Dansk Cyklist Forbund (DCF) | http://www.dcf.dk |  Denmark |
| Vänta Aga | http://www.bicycle.ee |  Estonia |
| HePo (Helsingin Polkupyöräilijät) | http://gamma.nic.fi/~hepo/ |  Finland |
| AF3V (Association Française des Véloroutes et Voies Vertes) | http://www.af3v.org |  Early Modern France |
| FUBicy (Fédération Française des Usagers de la Bicyclette) | http://www.fubicy.org | Early Modern France |
| ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad Club) | http://www.adfc.de |  Germany |
| Filoi tou podèlatou (Friends of the Bicycle) | http://www.filoi.eie.gr |  Greece |
| Magyar Kerékpárosklub (Hungarian Cyclists' Club) | http://kerekparosklub.hu/ |  Hungary |
| Landssamtök hjólreiðamanna - Icelandic Cyclists' Federation (LHM) | http://www.LHM.is |  Iceland |
| Dublin Cycling Campaign | http://home.connect.ie/dcc |  Republic of Ireland |
| FIAB (Federazione Italiana Amici della Bicicletta) | http://www.fiab-onlus.it |  Italy |
| Latvijas Velocelojumu Informacijas Centre | http://www.velokurjers.lv |  Latvia |
| Lithuanian Cyclists' Community | http://www.bicycle.lt |  Lithuania |
| LVI (Lëtzebuerger Velos-Initiativ) | http://www.lvi.lu |  Luxembourg |
| Cycling Touring Club Malta |  Malta |
|
| SLF (Syklistenes Landsforening) | http://www.slf.no |  Norway |
| FPCUB (Federação Portuguesa Cicloturismo e Utilizadores de Bicicleta) | http://www.fpcubicicleta.com |  Portugal |
| FBR | http://www.biciclisti.ro |  Kingdom of Romania |
| Russian Cycle Touring Club | http://www.rctc.ru |  Russia |
| Jugo cikling kampanja | http://www.bicikl.info/ |  Serbia |
| Slovenský Cykloklub | http://www.cykloklub.sk |  Slovakia |
| Slovenska Kolesarska mreza (Slovenian Cyclists´ Network) | http://www.kolesarji.org |  Slovenia |
| ConBici | http://www.conbici.org |  Spain |
| CCUB (Coordinadora Catalana d'Usuaris de la Bicicleta) | http://www.ccub.org | Spain |
| Pro Velo Schweiz | http://www.igvelo.ch |  Switzerland |
| Bisikletliler Dernegi | http://www.bisikletliler.org |  Turkey |
| CCN (Cycle Campaign Network) | http://www.cyclenetwork.org.uk |  United Kingdom |
| CTC Cyclists' Touring Club CTC and the UK's national cyclists' organisation are the trading names of the Cyclists' Touring Club.CTC is the United Kingdom's largest cycling membership organisation. It also has member groups in the Republic of Ireland... (Cyclists' Touring Club) |
http://www.ctc.org.uk | United Kingdom |
| Green Tour Bosnia & Herzegovina | http://www.greentour.ba |  Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Cyklo Klub Kučera Znojmo | http://www.cykloklub.kucera-zn.cz |  Czech Republic |
| Foreningen Frie Fugle | http://www.friefugle.dk | Denmark |
| VeloPoland | http://www. |  Poland |
Associate members
- Bicycle Federation of AustraliaBicycle Federation of AustraliaThe Bicycle Federation of Australia was the peak Australian body representing non-competitive cyclists, and directly represented over 20,000 cyclists who belonged to its affiliated groups in all states of Australia...
(AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
) - AEVV - EGWA, European Greenways Association http://aevv-egwa.org (BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
) - Pro Velo asbl http://www.provelo.org (BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
) - T & E, the European Federation for Transport and Environment http://www.t-e.nu (BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
) - Velo Québec http://www.velo.qc.ca (CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) - Cyprus Tourism Organisation [www.visitcyprus.com](CyprusCyprusCyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
) - Nadace Partnerstvi [www.nadacepartnerstvi.cz] (Czech RepublicCzech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
) - I-ce- Interface for Cycling Expertise, http://www.i-ce.info(NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) - FIS - Fietskaart Informatie Stichting, http://www.fietskaartinformatiestichting.nl(Netherlands)
- Stichting Landelijk Fietsplatform http://www.fietsplatform.nl(Netherlands)
- PSWE (Pomeranian Association Common Europe) (PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
) - EPCE - Polish Environmental Partnership Foundation http://www.epce.org.pl (PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
) - VCS / ATE http://www.verkehrsclub.ch (SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
) - Svensk Cycling http://www.svenskcykling.se An organization of cycle manufacturers, importers and bicycle dealers (SwedenSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
) - SustransSustransSustrans is a British charity to promote sustainable transport. The charity is currently working on a number of practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport, to give people the choice of "travelling in ways that benefit their health and the environment"...
(Head Office) (United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) - Thunderhead Alliance http://www.thunderheadalliance.org (USA)
- One Street http://www.www.onestreet.org (USA)
- Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities Finland
- Association des Départements Cyclables France
- Toerisme Vlaanderen/ Tourism Flanders Belgium
- Cycling Hungary Alliance - Hungary
Supporting members and sponsors
- Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute http://www.jbpi.or.jp (JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
)