Survey seeks info on how much EU cash cycling has received

Two European cycle advocacy organisations are seeking to find out how much funding cycling businesses have received from the EU. The Cycling Industry Club, an initiative of the European Cyclists’ Federation, and CONEBI, the Confederation for the European Bicycle Industry, are asking bicycle companies of all shapes and sizes to complete a short survey.

"The objective of this consultation is to make a preliminary assessment of the EU funds received by cycling businesses so far and go further to extend the influence of the industry at the EU level," says a statement from the two organisations.

Information supplued on the survey would remain confidential.

The survey is part of the Cycling for Growth Initiative, a joint programme of the ECF and CONEBI. The organisations say the economic benefits of cycling in Europe are more than €200 billion per year, with 650,000 full-time jobs dependent on cycling. This number is estimated to increase up to 1 million jobs by 2020 if cycling modal share doubles.

In order for cycling – especially commuter cycling – to grow there will have to be substantial investment in cycling, claim the ECF and CONEBI.

"It is key that cycling is integrated into growth plans as well as EU provides more investments in cycling by giving subsidies for cycling measures," said a statement, adding that "only 0.7 percent of EU spending on transport was allocated to cycling during the 2007-2013 Financial Period."