The European Cycling Federation has identified €2 billion of European Union money that could be used to subsidize bicycling infrastructure and use through 2020, or three times the amount available during the previous six years.
The ECF, which represents bicyclists across Europe, reported the number in its Cycling for Growth plan, which outlines ways to integrate cycling into government programs. To facilitate national and regional governments ECF put together the most effective tax and promotional incentives in favor of cycling. For the first time ever, ECF provides case studies of 11 European countries, analyzing the state of play for mileage allowances, tax allowances and bike purchase schemes in commuting.
The report follows the EU Commission’s announcement of a €300bn investment plan for reaching the targets on jobs and growth by 2020.
“Through these studies, ECF shows that cycling is ready to play an important role in the future of Europe and we are going to use them to argue that cycling should get part of this investment too,” ECF said in releasing its report.
According to the report, Jobs and job creation in the European cycling sector, there are more than 650,000 full-time jobs linked to cycling today in Europe. This number is estimated to increase up to 1 million jobs by 2020 if cycling modal share doubles, as ECF vision supports.”
In terms of investments, many member states and the European Union have protected funding streams for job creation. So this study is a resource to help supporters of cycling seek funding in those areas too.
We can create more jobs for Europeans through investment in cycling, not only because it has a proven record for creation of green and sustainable jobs, but because of the huge contributions it makes to the EUs wider objectives,” said Kevin Mayne, ECF Director of Development. “Our partners, our businesses and policy makers are ready to building on cyclings current 650,000 jobs and €217billion per year contribution to the EU economy.
