Cycling is still underused and its effectiveness undervalued

Cycling is fast on its way to become a mainstream tool for cities to conquer back their centers and to increase the quality of life in their cities. The image of cycling is growing, but on the streets there is still limited activity.

SPICYCLES will demonstrate that the modal share of cycling can be increased by 4 types of actions in European cities. Participating Cities are: Rome, Barcelona, Berlin, Göteborg, Bucharest, Ploiesti.

These front runner cities will execute the following actions:

1. Introduction of bike-sharing schemes
2. Implementation of communication and awareness raising campaigns;
3. Integration of cycling planning in the overall spatial and transport planning;
4. Building local partnerships

The main impacts of these actions are expected on:

• Cycling modal share
• Energy consumption
• Emissions
• Attitudinal change
• Local stakeholders involvement
• Integration transport/spatial planning

The results of these actions will be published online in Electronic Newsletters that you can subscribe to.

All Spicycles results will be accessible through the Interactive European Map for Cycling Planning with:

• Information of all benchmarked cities
• Cycling Policy; examples, hints, experience
• Information for bike users, Maps, Links
• City Cycling reports & your City Benchmark Comparison Report; Tools for Conviction
• Thematic Electronic Newsletter

The map is based on Google earth and allows you to zoom in on the real world.

60 more cities can choose to participate in Spicycles.

They can earn a status for their cycling policy and learn from their colleagues by engaging in two activities:

I.

Earn a Status by benchmarking the city with the Velo.Info Benchmarking tool on:

• Preparing cycling policy
• Planning cycling policy
• Implementation of cycling policy
• Monitoring & Evaluation of cycling policy

The performance will be indicated at one of five levels

• None: No significant activity
• Bronze: Low level activity
• Silver: More systematic activity
• Gold: High quality activity
• Platinum: Best practice

II.

Fill in the ‘City Characteristics Questionnaire’ and by doing so gain access to your personalized City Report on Cycling Policy.

By both benchmarking your city as well as filling in the questionnaire you will also gain access to the on-line ‘City Policy Comparison Tool’ producing a report to compare, learn and improve your policy.

Spicycles is supported by:

• ISIS (Istituto di Studi per l'Integrazione dei Sistemi), Italy
• ATAC (Agenzia per i Trasporti Autoferrotranviari del Comune di Roma), Italy
• University of Rome "La    Sapienza" DITS, Italy
• DB Rent GmbH, Germany
• Velo Mondial, The Netherlands/ England
• Goudappel Coffeng BV, The Netherlands
• CPI Progetti S.P.A., Spain

You can find all information and contact addresses on: http://spicycles.velo.info

Spicycles is a EU supported project:
Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE)
SAVE, ALTENER, STEER and Horizontal Key Actions
Type 1 Actions; EIE/05/059/S12.421631
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2008