# Velo-city

Velo-city is a conference series of cycle planning conferences that started in 1980 in Bremen, where advocates, cities, decision makers, academics, researchers and industry leaders meet to shape the future of cycling.
As annual flagship event of the European Cyclists’ Federation, Velo-city plays a valuable part in promoting cycling as a sustainable and healthy means of transport for all.
Hosted in a different city every year, the conference offers a knowledge-exchange and policy-transfer platform through its programme to more than 1600 Velo-citizens from over 60 countries involved in the policy, promotion of cycling, active mobility and sustainable urban development. In addition, the conference exhibition showcases the latest innovations for a better cycling experience. Answering the growing demand for expertise in cycling from cities, ECF has decided to hold an annual Velo-city conference in 2010.

## Selection process

The European Cyclists’ Federation conducts international bidding processes, encouraging cities committed to sustainable and active mobility to apply for future conferences. After a period when public and local authorities are allowed to bid, ECF Board is in charge of assessing the proposals of cities for the title according to criteria specified in candidacy.
Every year, a host city is chosen for the edition coming in a three years time.

## History

Hosted in a different city every year, the conference offers a knowledge-exchange and policy-transfer platform through its programme to more than 1600 Velo-citizens from over 60 countries involved in the policy, promotion of cycling, active mobility and sustainable urban development. In addition, the conference exhibition showcases the latest innovations for a better cycling experience.
Answering the growing demand for expertise in cycling from cities, ECF has decided to hold an annual Velo-city conference in 2010.

## List of host cities

Velo-city editions have been held in these locations with the following themes:
| Year | City | Country | Theme |
| 1980 | Bremen | West Germany | |
| 1984 | London | United Kingdom | |
| 1987 | Groningen | Netherlands | Planning for the urban cyclist |
| 1989 | Copenhagen | Denmark | How to make people use the bicycle |
| 1991 | Milan | Italy | The bicycle: improving mobility and the environment in our cities |
| 1992 | Montreal | Canada | |
| 1993 | Nottingham | United Kingdom | |
| 1995 | Basel | Switzerland | The bicycle, symbol of sustainable transport |
| 1996 | Fremantle | Australia | |
| 1997 | Barcelona | Spain | |
| 1999 | Graz Maribor | Austria Slovenia | |
| 2000 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | |
| 2001 | Edinburgh Glasgow | United Kingdom | Partnership for Change |
| 2003 | Paris | France | The bicycle as an essential tool for winning the city back |
| 2005 | Dublin | Ireland | Delivering the vision |
| 2007 | Munich | Germany | From vision to reality |
| 2009 | Brussels | Belgium | Re-cycling cities |
| 2010 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Different Gears, Same Destinations |
| 2011 | Seville | Seville | The Cycle of Life |
| 2012 | Vancouver | Canada | Cities in Motion |
| 2013 | Vienna | Austria | The Sound of Cycling – Urban Cycling Cultures |
| 2014 | Adelaide | Australia | Celebration of Cycling |
| 2015 | Nantes | France | Cycling: Future Maker |
| 2016 | Taipei | Taiwan | Evolution of Cycling |
| 2017 | Arnhem and Nijmegen | Netherlands | Freedom of Cycling |
| 2018 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | Access to Life |
| 2019 | Dublin | Ireland | Cycling for the Ages |
| 2021 | Lisbon | Portugal | Cycle Diversity |
| 2022 | Ljubljana | Slovenia | Cycling the Change |
| 2023 | Leipzig | Germany | Leading the Transition |
| 2024 | Ghent | Belgium | Connecting through Cycling |
| 2025 | Gdańsk | Poland | Energizing Solidarity |
| 2026 | Rimini | Italy | |
| 2027 | Ehime Prefecture | Japan | |

## Gallery

* Velo-city's bike parade in Vienna with 4200 participants
* Randy Neufeld at Velo-city 2012 Vancouver
* Gil Penalosa at Velo-city 2011 Seville
* Bike Parade at Velo-city 2010 Copenhagen
* Sam Adams speaking at Velo-city 2009 Brussels