A European manifesto proposes ten concrete measures to boost active mobility, reduce fossil fuel consumption and make transport more accessible, resilient and sustainable.
Body of the news item Against a backdrop of renewed geopolitical tensions, disruptions to energy supplies and rising fuel prices, a coalition of European organisations linked to active mobility has called for the urgent promotion of cycling as a rapid, accessible and energy-efficient response to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The manifesto Achieving energy independence and affordable transport for all: 10 measures to leverage cycling, published on 22 April 2026, sets out ten concrete short- and long-term measures aimed at promoting a modal shift from cars to active modes, in particular cycling. The document comes in response to the European Commission’s recent communication on affordable and secure energy, calling for greater recognition of cycling and active mobility as immediate and cost-effective solutions to reduce transport-related energy demand. The manifesto points out that cycling is by far the most energy-efficient mode of transport: a kilometre travelled by bicycle consumes up to 27 times less energy than the same journey made by car. Given that around 100 million short urban journeys are made by car every day in Europe, many of them less than 5 to 10 km, the potential for modal shift is significant. Furthermore, replacing just 10 km of daily car journeys can result in annual savings of up to €500 per household on fuel and maintenance. The five immediate actions proposed include the temporary creation of cycle lanes through the reallocation of public space, the reduction of urban speed limits to 30 km/h, the strengthening of financial incentives for the purchase and repair of bicycles and e-bikes, the regular organisation of car-free days, and the promotion of cycle tourism, as well as the integration of cycling into public transport. At a structural level, the manifesto proposes five long-term reforms: the expansion of bicycle leasing schemes with tax incentives; the allocation of at least 10% of transport budgets to active mobility; the construction of continuous, high-quality cycle networks; the development of integrated ‘cycle to school’ programmes; and the strengthening of institutional capacity for active mobility planning. Investing in cycling not only helps to reduce energy consumption and emissions, but also strengthens European resilience, improves public health and makes mobility more accessible to all.
