C 283/50
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
11.8.2023
Thursday 16 February 2023
6.
Highlights that urban infrastructure planning should be developed in accordance with EU road safety legislation, including safety standards for cycling; calls on the Commission to speed up its work regarding the guidance on quality requirements for high-quality and safe cycling infrastructure provided for under the RISM Directive (5); underlines the need to improve intelligent transport system technologies so that they become better at recognising cyclists on the road; 7.
Calls on the Commission to recognise the cycling industry, including battery manufacturing for e-bikes and the circular economy, and in particular SMEs, as legitimate partners in the mobility ecosystem of the EU industrial strategy, and in industrial infrastructure programmes and funding schemes; calls on the Commission and the Member States to encourage projects on cycling and related sectors such as mobility, tourism, health and sports, among others; 8.
Calls on the Commission and the Member States to support the production of ‘Made in Europe’ bicycles and components, thereby stimulating the competitiveness of EU industry, by bridging the investment gap, maintaining a global level playing field and stimulating supply chain reshoring and security, and by encouraging high-quality jobs, creating cycling clusters and enhancing industry-related vocational training; 9.
Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the accessibility of cycling to persons with reduced mobility, as well as making cycling affordable for vulnerable groups; notes that the European Social Climate Fund and the structural and investment funds can help those who are most affected by ‘transport poverty’ by supporting the purchase of bikes or access to bike-sharing services; 10.
Calls on the Commission, the Member States and regional and local authorities to conduct educational campaigns and training, including information campaigns, to increase awareness for road safety, supporting the safe use of bikes and e-bikes; calls further on the Commission to propose guidelines on safe cycling (helmets, age restrictions, carrying children, etc.), and requests that particular attention be paid to encouraging cycling among women and older people, notably through improving safety; 11.
Notes, in this context, that proper enforcement and monitoring are essential for users’ safety and security, and calls for the focus to be placed on the enforcement of existing rules in order to ensure the respectful coexistence of different transport modes; 12.
Underlines the potential of e-bikes to increase cycling; notes that in order to maintain the swift deployment of and access to e-bikes, those with assistance capable of attaining speeds of up to 25 km/h need to be given proper legal classification in both EU and national legislation; 13.
Points out that due consideration should be given to safe and secure bike parking spaces and charging capacity for e-bikes in housing planning; 14.
Encourages companies, public organisations and institutions to promote cycling through specific incentives, including programmes for employees and the installation of sufficient bike parking spaces with e-bike chargers, and providing adequate sanitary facilities; 15.
Stresses that cycling tourism and cycling in rural areas need to be supported by accelerating the development of the EuroVelo network and its 17 routes, in particular by ensuring stronger support as well as exploiting synergies with the TEN-T network; 16.
Encourages the Member States to reduce the VAT rates for the supply, rental and repair of bikes and e-bikes;
17.
Calls on the Commission to designate 2024 as the European Year of Cycling;
18.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and to the Member States and their parliaments.
(5)
Directive (EU) 2019/1936 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 amending Directive 2008/96/EC on road infrastructure safety management (OJ L 305, 26.11.2019, p. 1).