Europe Promotes Cycling as UK Introduces ‘Plan for Drivers’: GMPB.

Covered in this week’s Green Mobility Policy Brief: European Commission adopts European Cycling Declaration; UK scraps rail project leg and announces investments in roads and buses; MEPs back Hoekstra as Commissioner and expand ?ef?ovi?’s duties; and UK Government introduces “Plan for Drivers.

European Commission adopts European Cycling Declaration. The European Commission has put forward a set of principles aimed at promoting cycling throughout Europe. This proposal, known as the European Declaration on Cycling, was approved by the Commission on the 4th of October. It acknowledges cycling as an environmentally friendly, accessible, inclusive, cost-effective, and health-promoting mode of transportation, which also brings significant economic benefits to the EU. The document outlines a series of guidelines to encourage cycling, which will serve as a blueprint for future actions within the EU. These guidelines encompass key commitments such as creating safe and integrated cycling networks within cities, improving connections with public transportation, providing secure bike parking facilities, installing charging points for electric bikes, and establishing bike highways connecting urban areas with rural regions. These measures are, according to the Commission, crucial for enhancing the quality, quantity, continuity, and appeal of cycling infrastructure across all EU Member States. The Declaration was well received by the cycling industry. Commenting on the announcement, Jill Warren , CEO of the European Cycling Federation (ECF) said, “This is a key milestone for cycling. […] This is an excellent framework for enabling many more Europeans to cycle – and to cycle more safely.” Warren’s views were echoed by Kevin Mayne , CEO of Cycling Industries Europe (CIE) who stated that his association had “long advocated for a unified EU cycling policy that would place cycling on the same level as other modes of transport and industrial sectors in the EU, releasing more coherent policy support, greater consistency across EU Member States and billions more for investments.” The next step involves the European Parliament and the Council reviewing the text and potentially adding additional commitments to strengthen the implementation of this non-binding Declaration. Ultimately, all three EU institutions will sign the Declaration, demonstrating their commitment to promoting cycling.

EU Invests Over 352 Million EUR to Support Green Mobility

UK scraps rail project leg and announces investments in roads and buses. Rishi Sunak has confirmed that his government has scrapped the northern leg of HS2 from Manchester to Birmingham. In his announcement, which was made at the Conservative party conference held in Manchester, the UK Prime Minister stated that HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd ’s value proposition was underpinned by assumptions which were no longer valid and criticised the project’s “spiralling” costs. In its place, the government has announced ￡36 billion in road, bus, and other rail projects in the North of England with the objective to “radically improve travel between and within our cities and towns, and around our local areas”. The announcement has been criticised by multiple stakeholders; those on the political left have claimed that the cancellation will further increase the already important north-south socio-economic divide whilst former Conservative Prime Minister said that the move would “help to fuel the views of those who argue that we can no longer think or act for the long-term as a country; that we are heading in the wrong direction”.??

Op Ed: To Get HS2 Back on Track, The UK Government Should Look to Japan’s Shinkansen.

MEPs back Hoekstra as Commissioner and expand ?ef?ovi?’s duties. The European Parliament has granted approval for Wopke Hoekstra to assume the role of Commissioner for Climate Action and for Maro? ?ef?ovi? to take on the new position of Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal. Wopke Hoekstra's appointment as Commissioner for Climate Action received 279 votes in Favour, while 173 votes were cast against it, and 33 members abstained from voting. Maro? ?ef?ovi?'s expanded responsibilities as Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal were endorsed with 322 votes in Favour, 158 votes against, and 37 abstentions. It is important to note that the voting process was conducted through a secret ballot. Hoekstra’s nomination was initially marred in controversy due to the Dutchman’s previous roles at the energy giant Shell. Meanwhile, ?ef?ovi? expressed optimism that the European Union might adopt a target of reducing emissions by a minimum of 90% by 2040, in accordance with advice from experts.

CPK Presents its Sustainable Development Strategy to Contribute to the Future of European Aviation

UK Government introduces “Plan for Drivers”. The UK government has unveiled a comprehensive 30-point plan aimed at empowering drivers and reining in excessive enforcement measures. This initiative, announced by the Transport Secretary on October 2, 2023, is geared towards enhancing the driving experience and includes various provisions, such as allocating ￡70 million to maintain smooth traffic flow and expediting the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Among the key elements of the plan are provisions that could potentially enable local councils to boost their expenditure on pothole repairs and road maintenance by over ￡100 million over the course of a decade. The plan also entails penalties for roadworks that exceed their designated timeframes, the implementation of advanced technology for simplified parking payments, and updates to guidance on 20mph zones in England to prevent their “inappropriate” usage. Speaking about the plan, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said, “our plan for drivers will support thousands of skilled jobs and help grow the economy, sitting alongside our continued record investment in public transport and active travel – ensuring people have the freedom to travel how they want.”