The role of cycling in urban policy

Cycling has become a key focus in urban policies.

The unprecedented increase in bicycle sales in 2020 has marked a turning point in the mobility model on which cities should work.

Over the last year, we have seen a growing commitment to cycling through planning instruments such as the state bicycle strategy, the call for ZBE, the new mobility strategy approved on last December 9 or the strong boost by European funds.

In this context, the forum was held yesterday at the Palma Convention Centre “Legacy 2030: Sustainable Palma”, an event organized by Cadena Ser-Radio Mallorca that became a space for debate and reflection on the 17 goals set by the UN for the 2030 horizon.

The meeting was attended by speakers such as Javier Ruiz, head of finance at Cadena Ser, Eva Saldaña, executive director of GreenpeaceSpain or Sandra Benbeniste, director of sustainability at Iberostar, and in which Mobility by Cycling Friendly was also present with the intervention of our CBDO Matías Ximelis, specifically at the Urban Agenda table, sharing the debate with institutional representatives of Palma and Marratxí

The Urban Agenda of cities and municipalities must take into account the needs of the cycling citizen. The pillars of safety and infrastructure in sustainable mobility must also ensure that it is not the pedestrian who loses space to the detriment of the bicycle, but rather that it is the car that loses the leading role.

Among the elements to be introduced, it is important to promote metropolitan or supra-municipal chains by creating cycle corridors connecting different municipalities.

The bicycle is quality of life for everyone, it is commuting to work doing sport, in a heapier way where the employee is more productive, which is why it is important to encourage companies to promote this type of mobility by giving them subsidies or tax benefits so that cities benefit in terms of road traffic.

Just a few weeks ago we launched a very attractive and brave idea, and that is that today we are the first mobility company that is certifying buildings to promote sustainable mobility for companies.

We welcome that meetings like this raise such important questions that need to be discussed in terms of tomorrow’s sustainable mobility to be provided.