Italy could Go Dutch via new cycling mobility law

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has approved the so-called Framework Law on Cycling Mobility. All political groups agreed on the importance of a national push to cycling mobility, a measure promoted by the Italian Federation of the Friends of the Bicycle, FIAB.

Italian Minister of Transport Graziano Delrio said:

"Today, we are celebrating a cultural fact: the State fully acknowledges the need for cycling mobility planning, together with the Regions. Just like the motorway system or the rail system, cycling is now part of a mobility strategy that becomes a priority in urban centres and for the development of tourism in our country."

While the law still has to be approved by the Senate, reports the European Cycluists’ Federation, the outcome of the vote can be seen as a "concrete commitment of the political world to the issues of sustainable mobility and cycling."

The law commits to promote bicycles as a means of urban and recreational transport.

FIAB president Giulietta Pagliaccio said:

"The extraordinary goal achieved with the approval of this law rewards many cities that have been working hard for sustainable mobility policies and who today have the support of a national policy. Wishing that the law passes to the Senate’s approval before the end of the legislature, I see a light at the end of the tunnel, which will spur us with courage to face the road ahead of us to bring cycling in Italy to the levels of the best European countries."

The new law, once adopted, will encourage cycling between home and school and home and work, and will include an allocation of resources for cycle infrastructure. There will also be a national initiative to combat bike theft.

FIAB has been a beneficiary of the ECF’s Leadership Programme for three consecutive years. This programme is fully funded by the ECF Cycling Industry Club members via their yearly donations and it allows national cyclists’ associations with a high potential to get funds, support and training to transform their national campaigning to a professional level.