An increasing number of European countries have put in place and implemented national strategies on cycling. Most of the time these national strategies and/or action plans set clear activities and precise goals for the development of cycling at the national level.

In the first place, national cycling strategies allow national governments to set a clear framework for the development of cycling in their countries. This way, they can send the signal to regional and local authorities that cycling matters and that it should be taken into account in public policies.

The framework set by national cycling strategies ideally refers to the coordination of cycling policies (across vertical and horizontal government authorities), the exchange of good practice, the capacity building for local and regional authorities, the co-funding for investments in cycling infrastructure and the funding of pilot projects, research and awareness-raising campaigns.

In addition to a general framework for the development of cycling, national cycling strategies allow to decide new legislative and fiscal frameworks which should be adopted at the national level. It is particularly relevant for the highway code, the taxation rates or the fiscal incentives for commuting by bicycle.

Finally, national cycling strategies are also a means to boost dynamics at the national level and in various cycling-related areas such as cycling tourism, intermodality, education or physical activity. Setting clear objectives, in particular in terms of modal share allow national authorities to mobilise the different stakeholders involved in the promotion of cycling.

Current situation:

Below, you will find an overview of the current situation of cycling in all EU members states (ranked by cycling level as measured by the latest Eurobarometer). The table shows for each country, the existence of a national strategy on cycling, the current and targeted cycling modal shares and an estimation of the level of investment for cycling. The same information is provided for non-EU member states (Norway and Switzerland). Existing national strategies on cycling are individually further described at the bottom of this page.

Have a look at the National cycling strategies comparison

Read more about each national cycling strategy: