Recipients of the 2006 Cities Enjoy Bicycles Awards

Cities in Europe and Africa were recently recognized by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability for their excellence in successfully promoting and supporting the use of non-motorized vehicles as part of their urban transport strategy.

Awards of Excellence have been awarded to Cape Town (South Africa) and Geneva (Switzerland). Certificates of Honour have been awarded to Copenhagen (Denmark), Freiburg (Germany), Koprivnica (Croatia), Lund (Sweden), and Tilburg (Netherlands).

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town received the Africa Region Award of Excellence for its Bicycle Recycles Project. The Project involves the collection of disused bicycles in Aachen, Germany and transporting these to Cape Town for refurbishment and distribution to cyclists in disadvantaged communities.

The non-profit Bicycling Empowerment Network refurbished the bikes, and also trained local communities in basic bicycle maintenance and road safety. The City of Cape Town provided funding for the refurbishment of the bicycles, as well as the training and distribution through schools and community organizations.

Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva received the European Region Award of Excellence for its Transportation Package and the Promotion of Mobility Plans for Businesses. The ongoing project is promoting cycling and other non-pollution transportation modes to its 3,600 employees and then teaching by example to local businesses.

Elements of the project include the provision of 57 bicycles shared by employees located at 27 municipal sites complete with saddlebags, helmets, and carts should more materials need to be transported. Additionally, the development of specific mobility plans for local businesses including the airport and hospitals has resulted in reducing the modal split for businesses becoming a strategic goal.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen received a Certificate of Honour for its Bicycle Account and overall Cycling Policy. The Bicycle Account is a report on the opinions of cyclists that is issued on a periodic basis since 1995. The city also produced a video to promote cycling, called “City of Cyclists”. This approach has ensured long-term sustainability of the city’s cycling infrastructure and policies that reflects strong public involvement.

Freiburg, Germany

Freiburg received a Certificate of Honour for its Integrated Cycling Policies. The City’s comprehensive policy has resulted in a modal shift from vehicles to the bicycle as a result of such measures as public education, and the extension of cycling routes.

Koprivnica, Croatia

Koprivnica received a Certificate of Honour for Koprivnica - Town on the Move. This project, which involved more than 40 stakeholder groups, saw the expansion of bicycle-friendly infrastructure in the City, and the expansion of its free bicycle rental program. 250 bicycles are now available throughout the city, many having been donated by local citizens and businesses.

Lund, Sweden

Lund received a Certificate of Honour for being a bicycle friendly municipality. Through a consultative process that includes quarterly stakeholder meetings, the city has expanded its cycling routes, promoted community-wide activities that support bicycle use, and a healthy bikers project with citizens signed up to shift from vehicles.

Tilburg, Netherlands

Tilburg received a Certificate of Honour for Tilburg Feist: the City’s new Cycling Plan. Encouraging the use of bicycles is an ongoing process requiring a great deal of energy and attention. Collaborating with stakeholders and the community through an open and transparent process, Tilburg established the 2005-2025 plan to reverse the downward trend and get people to return to cycling. The plan includes continual infrastructure improvements, the hiring of a municipal ‘cycling coordinator’, events, public education, and training financially supported by the municipality.

The Cities Enjoy Bicyles Awards were created by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the world’s leading association of local governments, and Shimano Inc., the world’s leading bicycle component producer.

The Cities Enjoy Bicycles Awards were presented at the ICLEI World Congress 2006 in Cape Town, South Africa, during a ceremony on Friday, March 3, 2006.

Local action moves the world.

For more information:

Ms Michie Kishigami

Coordinator – Cities Enjoy Bicycles Awards

Regional Director

ICLEI Japan Office

bicycles@icleijapan.org