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ASSUMPTIONS OF THE ECF ORGANIZATION, EUROPEAN FUNDS FOR THE YEARS 2021-2027
ECF is one of the largest cycling promotion organizations in the world. Its primary goals are to increase cycling's share of transport and recreation, support sustainable transport, and influence European policies regarding cycling infrastructure.
ECF's Objectives
a) Increasing the share of bicycles in urban and national transport: ECF aims to increase the share of bicycles in daily trips in Europe to at least 15% by 2030.
b) Improving cycling infrastructure: Supporting the construction of bicycle paths, parking spaces, and e-bike charging stations. Promoting safe infrastructure that separates cyclists from car traffic.
c) Lobbying for EU funding for cycling:ECF influences EU policies to ensure that funding for transport includes the development of cycling infrastructure.
d) Support for electric bicycles (e-bikes): Developing support systems for e-bikes, including subsidies and charging infrastructure.
e) Cyclist safety: Promoting initiatives to reduce the number of accidents involving cyclists. f) Sustainable development and climate protection: Supporting the role of bicycles in reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality in cities.
g) Creating a pan-European network of cycle routes: Developing the EuroVelo network, which includes international cycle routes connecting various regions of Europe.
EU funds for 2021-2027
The European Union has earmarked significant funding for sustainable transport, including cycling, for the 2021–2027 period. These funds are available through various programs and initiatives, including:
European Green Deal:
a) Key objective: climate neutrality by 2050.
b) Funds dedicated to supporting low-emission transport, including cycling infrastructure.
Connecting Europe Facility (CEF):
a) Budget: €33.7 billion for 2021–2027.
b) Priority: financing sustainable transport, including bicycle paths, as part of cross-border infrastructure projects such as EuroVelo.
Cohesion Fund:
a) Budget: approximately €42 billion.
b) These funds support countries with lower GDP (including Poland) in investing in transport infrastructure, including cycling. Horizon Europe:
a) Budget: €95.5 billion.
b) The program supports research and innovation, including the development of technologies for intelligent cycling systems, e-bikes, and infrastructure.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF):
Priority: Supporting cities in the transition to greener transport, with a focus on bicycles and public transport.
Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF):
a) Budget: €723.8 billion (grants and loans).
b) Priority: Economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the ecological transition, including the development of sustainable mobility.
EU funds for 2021-2027 offer enormous opportunities for the development of cycling infrastructure.
Programs such as the CEF, ERDF, and the European Green Deal support cities in creating modern, green transport solutions. The ECF plays a key role in the promotion and implementation of these funds, which allows for an increased share of bicycles in urban transport across Europe.
Investments in infrastructure over the last few years in the largest cities in Europe.
Paris (FR) – €250 million (2021-2026), Plan Vélo "100% cyclable" (paths, parking, safety).
London (UK) – £87 million (2025) from TfL to support new/improved Cycleways in boroughs; network development included in TfL’s 2024 Business Plan.
Vienna (AT) – €20 million per year for 5 years for the cycle path expansion programme (additional funds at the city level).
Copenhagen (DK) – >$200 million in the last decade; 2022 budget: approximately $10 million for maintenance/improvements .
Milan (IT) – CAMBIO plan: €400 million for approximately 750 km of routes (multi-annual regional/metropolitan programme); additional grant of $400,000
Berlin (DE) – the draft budget for 2024/25 announced a cut in bicycle spending by 10% (~€3.3 million) vs. 2023 (watchdog organization + state budget documents).
15,000 new racks; planned construction of buildings and parking stations at city stations
Oslo (NO) – further sykelsatsing plan: >NOK 2 billion in 4 years (network improvement/complementation, target 20 km of new/modernized sections in 2024)
Barcelona (ES) – PMU 2025-2030 increases bicycle modal share to 5% (x2), but without explicit single amount for infrastructure in the communication; city budget for 2024: €3.807 billion
Madrid (ES) – lack of a clear, separate cycling policy; criticism of insufficient funding in 2024 (NGO). (Background: €40 million in government support for bike sharing and e-bike systems nationwide)
Brussels (BE) – development of bike sharing services under the Good Move plan; the Bikes in Brussels fund financed €7.1 million (110 projects) – complementing regional investments. €1.2 million Bike in Brussels Fund (2024) → 1,400 new parking spaces, including shelters and bike boxes (e.g., ULB: 334 spaces)
The Brussels Times and ≈150 new installations for 2,500 bikes planned
Warsaw (PL) – the city reports ~814–820 km of network (2024/25) and continues expansion; selected sections co-financed by EU funds (reported ~PLN 65 million in funding).
Stockholm (SE) – implementation of the Cycleplan (2022–2024)
Lausanne (Switzerland) - Contract for bicycle boxes (lockable) for 1,048 spaces for ~CHF 1.94 million (announced 2025).
Utrecht (NL) - The largest bicycle garage in the world – 12,500 spaces under the central station
Amsterdam (NL) - Underground bicycle garage opened - €60 million - capacity approx. 11,000 spaces
It's already happening!
Paris is focusing on large, central CAPEX and massive infrastructure development – 130,000 new spaces is an impressive infrastructure leap.
In the Netherlands, Amsterdam and Utrecht are leaders in scale and innovation: underground, multi-level parking garages and the highest capacities in Europe.
Copenhagen stands out for its plans and small, effective solutions, planning thousands of new bicycle spaces.
In Brussels, we have an example of effective local funds (Bike in Brussels), which allow for the creation of shelters and lockable boxes – a model of regional-public cooperation.
Berlin, on the other hand, has significantly increased spending (six-fold) and is implementing new buildings/parking stations at public transport stations.
Smaller cities such as Třinec and Lausanne are examples of the application of technology (towers and boxes) thanks to public funds and tenders.
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