The European Commission recognises cycling as a sustainable, accessible, inclusive, affordable and healthy means of transport, with strong added value to the EU economy.
Following a Commission initiative, the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission agreed in 2024 on the European Declaration on Cycling.
The Declaration recognises the potential of cycling to help achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the Zero Pollution Action Plan.
Furthermore, it also complies with Principle 20 of the European Pillar of Social Rights that everyone is entitled to access essential services of good quality, including for transport. 
The Declaration lists principles to boost cycling that will guide future action in the EU.
Clear commitments are necessary to improve the quality, quantity, continuity and attractiveness of cycling infrastructure across all Member States. 
Such as: safe and coherent cycling networks in cities, better links with public transport, secure parking spaces, the deployment of charging points for e-bikes and bike highways connecting cities with rural areas.
Use this interactive data story to explore the planned total investments of EUR 4.5 billion under the  2021-2027  EU Cohesion policy to improve cycling infrastructure across Europe (EUR 3.2 billion coming from EU funding and EUR 1.3 billion from national co-financing).
  

Investments of EUR 4.5 billion under Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 are planned

EU Cohesion Policy provides Member States with a key source of investment for cycling infrastructure through national, regional and cross-border programmes. 
Cycling is a sustainable form of transport and essential for achieving the EU’s climate, zero pollution and energy efficiency objectives. It helps to counteract greenhouse gas emissions and to reduce congestion, air and noise pollution, thus improving connectivity and livability of urban areas.
Cycling enhances social inclusiveness, contributing to citizens’ physical and mental well-being. Cycling is a moderate physical activity that can reduce risks of illnesses and premature deaths linked with sedentary lifestyles.
For the programming period 2021-2027, EUR 4.5 billion is foreseen to support a range of cycling investments of which EUR 3.2 billion EU funding (@ May 2024). The European Regional Development Fund - the largest of the infrastructure funds - provides the bulk of cycling investment allocations.
In total 21 Member States and a significant number of Interreg programmes have planned dedicated cycling investments.
Note: You can filter the graph on the right by country or programme.
Photo: European Cyclists' Federation

Cycling investments take place as part of several  Cohesion Policy objectives

The allocations under cycling infrastructure are planned predominantly within the framework of promoting sustainable urban mobility in Europe's towns and cities, where around 74 % of the population resides (2022). However, more and better safe cycling infrastructure is important  in all areas, urban and rural, to attract more people to cycling. Investments in cycling projects are also financed as part of investments in sustainable national, regional and local mobility, as part of sustainable tourism and projects. Improving cross-border cycling infrastructure also takes place, notably under Interreg programmes, and not just for tourism purposes, but also to provide alternatives to cars commute for cross-border workers.

Tips:  Use the filters on the chart across to see how member states link cycling infrastructures with their specific objectives   

Indicators measure the expected improvements to, and users of, new and renovated dedicated cycling paths

For the 2021-2027 programmes, two new common indicators were introduced for 2021-2027 to monitor cycling investments: 
  • RCO58 Dedicated cycling infrastructure supported - km (output indicator):
    Length of dedicated newly built or significantly upgraded cycling infrastructure. Dedicated cycling infrastructure includes cycling facilities separated from roads for vehicular traffic or other parts of the same road by structural means (curbs, barriers), cycling streets, cycling tunnels, etc. For cycling infrastructure with separate one-way lanes (ex: on each side of a road), the length is measured as lane length.
  • RCR64 Annual users of dedicated cycling infrastructure - users/ year estimated (result indicator):
    Annual users of dedicated cycling infrastructure (trips) financed by supported projects. The baseline of the indicator is the annual number of users (of existing infrastructure) of the infrastructure for the year before the intervention starts, and it is zero for new infrastructure. The achieved values are estimated ex-post in terms of the number of users using the infrastructure for the year after the physical completion of the intervention.
These indicators focus on measuring dedicated cycling roads and paths supported by the 2021-2027 programmes (not the wider use of bicycles). Other investments such as in bicycle parks, public bicycle schemes, recharging of e-bikes, etc., are not captured by these indicators.
The result indicator is a new common indicators that may be challenging for some projects to collect.  This document prepared by JASPERS for DG REGIO (March 2021) describes different methods for collecting and reporting this indicator.

Combining the EUR allocation and indicators shows the relationship between allocations and expected achievements


Financial allocations


Output indicator targets 


Result indicator targets


Example of cycling projects in 2014-2020

How could investments in 2021-2027 be translated into concrete projects? Some ideas from the 2014-2020 funding period show what is possible:
Construction of bicycle /pedestrian infrastructure in the district of Opole, PL
The project improved the quality of life of the local communities by reducing air pollution in the Opole Agglomeration, as a result of the development of infrastructure for cycling, and through the construction of transfer centres and car parks with Bike & Ride facilities. The following facilities were created: 38 km of  bicycle lanes/foot paths; 6 Bike & Ride parks located near railway stations (Suchy Bór, Tarnów Op., Lewin Brzeski, Tułowice and Turawa) and bus stops; 160 bicycle stations built.
Total investment for the project: EUR 15 622 839
EU's Cohesion Fund contribution EUR 11 520 185.
Link to the project.
Construction of a separate cycling path on Calle Eduardo Barreiros, Madrid, ES
The project adapted an existing  road with a new separate two-way bicycle path, building sidewalks with efficient lighting and street furniture. This has increased traffic safety and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians, improving the circulation of public transport and access to bus stops and railway stations, thus better connecting the districts of Villaverde and Usera. 
Total investment for the project: EUR 6 578 850
EU's ERDF contribution:  EUR 3 289 427
Link to the project.
Cycling Link Krško — Kostanjevica na Krki, SI
The investment consisted of building 19.5 km of cycling links in the municipalities of Krško and Kostanjevica na Krki, including 9.7 km of separated one-way and two-way bicycle paths.
Total investment for the project: EUR 4 706 000
EU's contribution EUR - N/A - (Est 85%).
Link to the project.

Further resources and readings

Learn more about EU Cohesion Policy and discover all bike/cycling infrastructure projects financed in 2014-2020.
Find out more about #CohesionOpenData  Website - Blog - FAQ - User Guide - Browse other data stories 
Author: Jeroen VAN OEL, John WALSH
Date of Text: May 2024