At the time when the bike is recognized as being a real sustainable and healthy transport, it is important to know the position of each country vis-à-vis its promotion. Consider, for example, the second edition of the State of National Cycling Strategies in Europe to find out and understand what countries in the pan-European region are now doing to develop cycling at their national level by 2030.
National and global projects
According to the 2022 edition of “The State of national cycling strategies in Europe”, national cycling strategies are developed with the aim of realizing both national and global projects.
On the one hand, they make it possible to achieve the objectives of having more livable cities with healthy inhabitants, safer roads and also an evolution of the bicycle and cycle tourism industry with cycle paths, and 2-wheel street furniture. And on the other hand, they guarantee the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as the reduction of fuel and energy consumption in the transport sector.
The Agreement of Paris of 2015 even confirmed that the contribution of each country makes it possible to limit global warming below 2 or 1,5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.
National Energy Climate Plans
Furthermore, it should also be remembered that there is what is called “National Climate Energy Plans” or “PNEC”. This political instrument has been put in place at European level in order to achieve an interesting objective which is the reduction of CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030.
To do this, the Member States of the EU-27 have put forward before 2019 detailed plans of their national strategies for the period 2021-2030. They clearly indicate how they will act to help reduce emissions of polluting substances in non-ETS sectors such as land transport, buildings, agriculture and waste.
According to the report published by the European Commission in 2020, ECF analyzed the consideration of the bicycle by the PNEC of the Member States and concluded that, until then, the bicycle does not yet constitute a means in its own right for reduce GHG emissions in the transport sector.
In addition, European countries still have to make a lot of effort to achieve the objectives set by 2030. The strategies are generally good, but we must respect them and above all act together so as not to have to deal with the same type of problem. after 2030.