European Cyclists’ Federation announces creation of World Cycling Alliance

The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) has announced the creation of the World Cycling Alliance (WCA). The new body aims to represent the global cycling community at international institutions such as the World Bank, the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Economic Development (OECD).

The ECF says that the WCA will also “promote and support the worldwide exchange of knowledge, expertise and co-operation of cycling associations and organizations.”

The decision to set up the WCA was taken at the ECF’s annual general meeting in Dublin last month, and its steering board, comprising the president of the ECF and representatives from all continents, will be announced at the Velo-city Global 2014 conference later this month in Adelaide, Australia.

All ECF members, including organisations from countries outside Europe such as Australia, Canada, India, Thailand and Taiwan, will become founding members of the WCA.

All ECF members, which include organisations from India, Russia, Taiwan, Canada, Thailand and Australia, will be founding members of the Alliance

Manfred Neun, president of the ECF, said: “The World Cycling Alliance fills a gap in the promotion of cycling at the highest institutional level.

“This comes as a logical step as ECF has been active on the field for years, by organising the annual world cycling summits Velo-city conference series.”

The ECF added that it already participates in forums at international level, including the UN’s Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Program, UN-Habitat’s World Urban Forum events and the International Transport Forum, which is linked to the OECD.

It added that it has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with UN-Habitat, with ECF secretary-general Bernhard Ensink saying: “I am enthused by the recognition of ECF role by the UN-Habitat to further develop cycling worldwide through the World Cycling Alliance.”