High-Level EU Cycling Conference – Taking the European Declaration on Cycling to the next level

Breakfast is included.

Speakers:

• Ms. Lydia Peeters, Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works

• Mr. Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General European Commission, DG MOVE

The high-level panel debate will focus on the significance of the European Declaration on Cycling and developing and strengthening cycling policies to unleash the potential of cycling throughout Europe.

Panelists:

• Ms. Karima Delli, President of the TRAN Commission, European Parliament

• Ms. Jill Warren, CEO, European Cyclists’ Federation

• Ms. Lydia Peeters, Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works

• Mr. Georges Gilkinet, Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Mobility, Belgium

• Mr. Jack Chambers, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications

• Mr. Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General European Commission, DG MOVE

We propose a number of breakout sessions for experts. As there will be simultaneous sessions, experts are asked to make a choice in advance via the registration form.

The breakout sessions will focus on a number of key principles from the European Declaration on Cycling.

Breakout session 1: Data

This breakout session will focus on the topic of Data, zooming in on the importance of (a harmonised) data collection on cycling to ensure effective monitoring of the progress of (European) cycling policy. There will be several short presentations as well as a panel debate.

Panelists:

• Ms. Erika Decorte, Project Manager Mobilidata, Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic  

• Mr. Henrik Lundorff Kristensen, Policy Expert, City of Copenhagen’s Technical and Environmental Administration

• Ms. Stéphanie Mangin, Project Manager, Vélo & Territoires

• Mr. Philip Amaral, Director of Policy and Development, European Cyclists’ Federation

Breakout session 2: Cycling tourism and multimodality

This breakout session will focus on Cycling tourism and multimodality, zooming in on the key role of cycling in improving multimodal connectivity and tourism. The format of this session is a panel debate.

Panelists:

• Mr. Cornelius Kiermasch, Head of Shared Mobility, Deutsche Bahn

• Ms. Alenka Soršak, Sustainable Tourism Consultant, Ljubljana Tourism

• Mr. Gregor Steklačič, Undersecretary, National Cycling Coordinator, Slovenian Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy / Danube Cycle Plans

• Mr. Ward Segers, Coordinator Bicycle Projects, Visit Limburg

Breakout session 3: Industry and economy

This session will focus on Industry and economy, zooming in on the benefits of cycling for the EU economy and cycling industry, as well as its contribution to the EU industrial strategy. There will be several short presentations as well as a panel debate.

Panelists:

• Mr. Kevin Mayne, CEO, Cycling Industries Europe

• Mr. Manuel Marsilio, General Director, Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry

• Ms. Lorena Ionita, Deputy Head of Unit Mobility, European Commission (DG GROW)

• Mr. Raymond Gense, Director, Pon Mobility / Board Member, Cycling Industries Europe

Breakout session 4: Inclusion and health

This session will focus on Inclusive mobility and health, zooming in on fair access to cycling for all people, as well as the promotion of cycling as beneficial to mental and physical health. The format of this session is a panel debate.

Panelists:

• Ms. Isabella Burczak, Cycling for All & Sustainability Manager, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)

• Ms. Angela van der Kloof, Strategic Advisor, Mobycon

• Ms. Francesca Racioppi, Head of Office, World Health Organization European Center for Environment and Health

• Mr. Kristof De Mesmaeker, Head of the Planning Department, Brussels Mobility

This session is for Ministers, European Parliament and Commission only.

Confirmed exhibitors:

• Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)

• Cycling Industries x Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI)

• Eurocities

• Fietsberaad x City of Ghent

• Province of Limburg

• City of Hasselt

The afternoon programme will focus on the possible obstacles that can hinder people to cycle more. One of the obstacles is road safety. This panel debate will explore the possibilities to improve road safety in order to create a safe and secure cycling environment.

Panelists:

• Mr. Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director, European Transport Safety Council

• Mr. Ádám Bodor, Director of Mobility Developments, Centre for Budapest Transport BKK

• Mr. Martin Damen, Director-Manager, Institute for Road Safety Research (SWOV NL)

• Ms. Vesna Valant, Deputy Head of Unit Road Safety, European Commission (DG MOVE)

• Mr. Filip Boelaert, Secretary-General, Flemish Department Mobility and Public Works

• Ms. Wiebke Unbehaun, Head of Department, Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, Austria

Dr. Meredith Glaser, Senior Lecturer Urban Planning, University of Amsterdam / CEO, Urban Cycling Institute

The afternoon programme will focus on the possible obstacles that can hinder people to cycle more. One of the obstacles is cycling infrastructure and financing. This panel debate will explore the importance of cycling infrastructure to create favourable conditions for cycling as well as the European financing potential.

Panelists:

• Ms. Kathy Vandenmeerschaut, President, Conference of European Directors of Roads

• Mr. Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General, European Commission, DG MOVE

• Ms. Agnė Vaiciukevičiūtė, Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications

• Ms. Vivianne Heijnen, Dutch Minister for the Environment

• Ms. Arianna Censi, Deputy Mayor for Mobility of Milan/ CoR rapporteur

• Mr. Philippe Henry, Walloon Minister of Mobility, Infrastructure, Climate and Energy

Dr. Meredith Glaser, Senior Lecturer Urban Planning, University of Amsterdam / CEO, Urban Cycling Institute