Launched in the early 2000s, Vélorution is an association active in different cities. It is possible to hear about Velorution Paris, Vélorution Brussels, Vélorution Tunisia, etc., and each of these Vélorutions has its own mode of organization and its own actions. Until then, there is no will to centralize this movement. It is quite simply an international NGO which promotes the bike against polluting transport.
The objectives of Velorution
Vélorution's main objective is to encourage the use of green means of transport. It aims to promote the bicycle as a means of transport both in cities and in the countryside.
It is also a means of denouncing government, regional and municipal policies, which do not do enough, not enough cycle paths, not enough street furniture for bicycles…, which support the use of motorbikes. It is supported by a monthly event that bears the same name, but with a lowercase “v” or “critical mass”. And it is during this event that mechanical cooperative workshops and other interesting actions in favor of cycling take place.
Actions carried out by Vélorution
La Vélorution argues that: "It's the cycling as a means of transport that arouses the desire for a city, for social relations, for a different world". The actions of the association also make it possible to solve the various current environmental problems such as pollution, waste of resources and global warming.
According to what is communicated on its official page, this international NGO is: for shared gardens and autonomy zones, for urban alternatives, against greenhouse gas emissions, for public transport, against the abolition of night trains, against the extraction of shale gas, against nuclear power, against weapons and war and anti-publicity.
Of course, Vélorution does not act alone. It collaborates with other organizations that campaign for the bicycle as a means of transport or travel as well as with local groups of associations and collectives.
The particularities of the Vélorution association
What is interesting with the Vélorution is the fact that its watchwords are: “free access, mutual aid and learning to be independent”. Also, it aims for the maximum decentralization of organizations and decisions and it relies on pre-figurative direct action, civil disobedience, pedagogy and cycling.
Finally, it should be noted that the Vélorutions are anti-sexists, anti-racists, anti-ageists and anti-homophobes. They want to be at the same time peaceful, ecological, anti-fascist and anti-discrimination.