CIVITAS Spotlight: The Politicians Exchange Forum convenes in Parma

PEF

PEF

Image by Image: Lucy Russell / ICLEI Europe

On 1 October 2024, Michele Guerra, Mayor of the City of Parma (Italy), welcomed representatives from the European Commission, 15 politicians from cities across Europe, and cycling sector representatives, to the Parma Town Hall for the CIVITAS Politicians Exchange Forum.

Watch the video on the Politicians Exchange Forum.

The first part of the meeting offered the politicians a platform to engage in early discussions with EU institutions and explore the EU’s urban mobility priorities for the new mandate for the European Commission and the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. For cities, this framework will be instrumental in financing ambitious urban mobility projects that align with the EU's strategic objectives. The second part of the meeting focused on the implementation phase of the European Declaration on Cycling.

Cities' Investment Needs in View of the Next Multiannual Financial Framework

To kick of the discussions, Eddy Liégeois (Acting Director for Investment, Innovative & Sustainable Transport, DG MOVE) provided an update on the European Union’s priorities for urban mobility for the new mandate. He explained that, in particular, fighting pollution and externalities should be the top priority for cities, as well as the fundamental importance of social inclusion and equity, and the need to provide an affordable, available and reliable public transport service. He invited the participants to discuss investment needs, best practices and align strategies and EU Priorities. Lot van Hooijdonk, Deputy Mayor for Mobility of the City of Utrecht (Netherlands), highlighted that the goal should be not only to clean transport, but also to prevent transport. Anna Lisa Boni, Deputy Mayor for the City of Bologna (Italy),underlined the need for good communication with local authorities, the involvement of citizens, and the need to adopt a systemic approach, both at EU level and national level.

EU Cycling Strategy: From Declaration to Implementation

Gianluca Borghi, Deputy Mayor of the City of Parma, introduced the second part of the meeting, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between local governments and the EU to address the implementation of the European Declaration on Cycling. The Declaration was signed by the European Council, Commission and Parliament in April 2024. The principles of the Declaration should help the EU achieve its European Green Deal, Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and Zero Pollution Action Plan objectives. The Declaration elevates cycling to a key player in future mobility and describes it as a ‘sustainable, accessible and inclusive, affordable and healthy means of transport, with strong added value for the EU economy’.

Jill Warren, European Cyclists Federation, urged the participants to focus on the sector’s ambitions, including the goal to double the number of km cycled by 2030 and to improve cycling safety. However, she highlights that cycling won’t be able to make the leap until it will be treated as a fully fledged mode of transport. Piotr Borawski, Deputy Mayor of the City of Gdansk (Poland), highlighted how safety and education are probably the two essential pillars without which cycling could not thrive. Further angles covered included the importance of public space allocation and that incentives for cycling aren’t enough; that disincentives for cars are also required.

To learn more about the Politicians Exchange Forum, read the introductory page.

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