WRITTEN QUESTION E-0962/98

by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission

(30 March 1998)

Subject: The use of duty bicycles

Is the Commission aware that the Dutch bicycle factory Batavus has offered to make ten duty bicycles available to the Commission officials free of charge?

Is the Commission aware of the attempts being made by the local authorities of Brussels-Capital to promote sustainable mobility through the use of the bicycle in the city?

Is the Commission aware that special cycle paths have been installed in the new infrastructure around the buildings on the Place Schuman?

Is the Commission aware that the use of the bicycle in the urban environment is entirely in keeping with proposals from the Commission as part of the Citizens' Network project (COM(95) 0601), which is also supported by the questioner's reports on the Green Paper on this subject (A-0289/96) and in his reports on urban transport (A-0150/92) and on the bicycle as a means of transport (A-0183/86)?

Can the Commission explain why it has nevertheless and despite these reports rejected the bicycle factory's offer?

Is the Commission still prepared to consider the offer?

If not, why not?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 June 1998)

A Commission Decision of 16 July 1997 set ambitious objectives in the area of environment-friendly mobility for its staff.

Since December 1997, the authorities of the Brussels-Capital Region, in partnership with the Société des transports intercommunaux de Bruxelles (STIB), has offered a Eurobus service serving the staff of almost all the European Institution buildings in the European district. This new mode of transport to meet mobility needs confirmed by a recent survey of all Commission staff is financed by the Commission alone. Eurobus also aims to generate a "public transport" mentality and limit the use of private cars, thus helping to protect the endangered urban environment. Eurobus is complemented by a shuttle service between the Genève complex and Schuman, financed entirely by the Commission; staff at Beaulieu are given tickets for business travel.

The Commission will endeavour to extend this service, in full response to staff mobility needs. For the short term, it does not seem practical to proceed with the acquisition of free service bicycles, for staff assigned to buildings near Schuman. The Commission has made this known to the company referred to by the Honourable Member. Even so, in the framework of this pilot transport scheme, the Commission might envisage the free bicycle service in cooperation with local authorities for staff working in the Beaulieu-Delta area.

The Commission is aware that the use of bicycles in the urban environment can help to improve living and traffic conditions. It is determined to promote and facilitate the increased use of bicycles by staff; cycle racks are already provided and are being extended inside and outside most of its buildings. The Commission actively encourages the Brussels-Capital Region and Brussels City authorities to hasten the planning of footpaths and cycle tracks, around its buildings. It would be very glad if, on the basis of the resolutions cited by the Honourable Member, Parliament added its support for sustainable mobility in Brussels.

The Commission also finances several projects to promote walking and cycling under the specific transport programme of the fourth framework programme of research and development. The Adonis project, for example, provides practical advice on cycling in the city. The Commission will also give financial support to the Eurobicycle initiative of the European Cyclist Federation, designed to develop trans-european cycling routes, particularly the London-Rome route that passes through Brussels.