Million Euro Subsidy For Cycling In EU

BRUSSELS, Belgium – A European consortium involving among others the European Two-Wheeler Retailers Association (ETRA) and the European Cyclist Federation (ECF) were awarded a € 1.4 million subsidy for a European project aimed at increasing the modal share of cycling in five European cities.

The initiative is called Presto. It’s the first European project ever to involve bike dealers. Presto is a test case for an initiative, which would be expanded to many more European cities if successful. ETRA is responsible for the electric bicycle pillar in Presto.

In this framework, the European trade association for bicycle dealers will be organising so-called “try-out days” with a view to familiarising road users with the phenomenon of electric bikes and with its possibilities.

ETRA will also produce a good practice guide and a number of fact sheets on electric bikes. Finally, ETRA wants to seize the opportunity to make local bicycle dealers better aware of the need for an appropriate bicycle offer for urban cycling.

ETRA and ECFG selected five European cities to take part in the project: Bremen (D) as a forerunner in cycling policy, Grenoble (F) and Venice (I) with a cycling policy which is in the process of being implemented and Zagreb (HR) and Tchew (PL) as ‘beginners’.

With the project, ETRA and ECF want to organise knowledge transfer as well as the implementation of the knowledge in association with local administrations, users and bicycle dealers. ETRA has acquired the logistical and financial support from Accell, Giant and Ultra Motors for the planned “try out days”.