The EuroVelo project strengths and weaknesses

Transcription

1 ECF gratefully acknowledges financial support from the European Commission. The EuroVelo project strengths and weaknesses Ed Lancaster, Danish National Bicycle Conference, Roskilde, Tuesday 8 th May 2012

2 Contents 1. Introduction to EuroVelo 2. A tale of two routes: EuroVelos 3 and EuroVelo SWOT Analysis 4. Concluding remarks

3 Introduction to EuroVelo The 14 EuroVelo routes are: North South Routes: 1 Atlantic Coast Route 3 Pilgrims Route 5 Via Romea Francigena 7 Sun Route 9 Baltic - Adriatic 11 East Europe Route 13 Iron Curtain Trail 15 Rhine Route West East Routes: 2 Capitals Route 4 Central Europe Route 6 - Atlantic Black Sea 8 Mediterranean Route Circuits: 10 Baltic Sea Cycle Route 12 North Sea Cycle Route Total network: Over 70,000 km

4 The objectives of EuroVelo 1. Economic help create lasting economic growth with more and better jobs. 2. Environmental - reduce the environmental impact of tourism and transport. 3. Regional and rural development. 4

5 The objectives of EuroVelo 4. European cohesion and mutual understanding. 5. Public health - Improve the health of European citizens. 6. Exchange of experiences. 5

6 Organisation European Cyclists Federation (ECF) National EuroVelo Coordination Centers / Coordinators Project Partners

7 Costs and benefits Direct income of 5 billion Euro per year (once the network is complete). Based on the current information, the cost will be approximately billion Euro summary for

8 Funding Funding comes from a range of sources, including: EU Institutions. ECF Members. National EuroVelo Coordination Centres / Coordinators. Public funding at national, regional and local levels. Private sector / Sponsorship. 8

9 A tale of two routes EuroVelo 3 Pilgrims Route EuroVelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail

10 Comparison EuroVelo 3 Project partners: Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France and Spain. Route length: 5,078 km Route covered: 4,078 km Key outputs: Transnational Action Plan EuroVelo 13 Project partners: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece. Route length: 9,518 km Route covered: 7,642 km Key outputs: 3 Transnational Action Plans

11 Strengths EuroVelo 3 Few sections considered to be inappropriate : 329 km. Large sections of the route form part of existing national routes. Can draw on popularity of existing route to Santiago de Compostela. Work begun in countries outside the project to implement those sections. EuroVelo 13 Relatively small number of sections considered to be inappropriate : 761 km Political support. Clear and easily presentable theme with lots of associated attractions along the route. Large population base close to central section.

12 Weaknesses EuroVelo 3 Problems with capacity in Spanish sections. Need to secure support and funding to implement the Transnational Action Plan. Estimated to be 80 million Euro up until Need to develop a sustainable organisational structure. EuroVelo 13 Numerous national, regional and local organisations will need to be involved in its development. Need to secure support and funding to implement the Transnational Action Plan. Estimated to be 181 million Euro up until Need to develop a sustainable organisational structure. Some sections are very isolated.

13 Summary Two very different routes but similar opportunities and challenges. 13

14 EuroVelo - Strengths Good quality brand. Growing political support (at all levels). Strong National EuroVelo Coordination Centre / Coordinator Network. Recognition from European Parliament, European Commission, United Nations.

15 EuroVelo - Weaknesses Not taken seriously compared with some other modes of transport. Lack of sustainable support at a European level. In some countries there are only limited facilities currently. There remain countries without a National EuroVelo Coordination Centre / Coordinator. 15

16 EuroVelo - Opportunities Potential benefits of having a completed EuroVelo network are huge. Prestige of having a European route. Publication of first Transnational Action Plans and new guidance materials and tools should make it easier for routes that follow. Network of National EuroVelo Coordination Centres / Coordinators continues to grow. Implementing cycling routes is cheaper then other forms of transport infrastructure. 16

17 EuroVelo - Threats Economic problems across Europe. Motorisation in Eastern Europe. Conflicts with other route users. E-mobility. Not being able to build on the work that has just been completed (e.g. EuroVelos 3 and 13).

18 Concluding remarks To complete the EuroVelo network will be a fantastic achievement with wide benefits to the people of Europe and beyond. However, we do not underestimate the size of the task in front of us if we are to achieve this by our target of Please support the Danish Cyclists Federation (DCF) to help realise the network in Denmark.

19 Thank you for your attention! For more information