Velo-city 2009

BRUSSELS, Belgium - From 12 till 15th of May 2009, the Velo-city 2009 conference will take place in Brussels. Velo-city is the largest conference devoted to cycling in the world. With regard to the European ambitions on green urban transport and with regard to the important role and potential of the bicycle in urban mobility, the Velo-city 2009 theme will be “RECYCLING CITIES”.

Velo-city 2009 in Brussels wants to go back to the roots of the Velo-city conferences. And this is focusing on the role and potential of cycling in an urban environment. Cities are the heart of European life and the engine of the European economy. Over 60% of the European citizens live in urban areas and 85% of the EU gross domestic product is created in urban areas. Yet towns and cities across Europe are facing a range of serious challenges such as traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, air an noise pollution, health issues, safety risks and security threats.

As urban areas are the living environment of the vast majority of the population, it is imperative that the quality of life in these areas should be as high as possible. Having a sustainable urban mobility is one of the key elements in creating this quality of life. In that perspective it is clear that cycling has an important role in an integrated urban transport system. Because of this important challenge the Velo-city 2009 conference theme is “RE-CYCLING CITIES”. 

As part of the Velo-city conference, there will also be a theme exhibition which will be open to all, and will aim to spread a different, positive message about the use, image and advantages of the bicycle.
The Velo-city exhibition is aimed at very varied target groups (company managers, human resources departments, participants in the bicycle week at Velo-city, schools and associations, etc.), and will have around 80 stands.

Companies from the European bike sector are invited to take part in the exhibition which will open its doors on Sunday 9 May and last until Sunday 17 May 2009. More at www.velo-city2009.com