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Leipzig makes Velo-city history, breaking all records

Congress Center Leipzig: Tagungslocation für die Velo-city 2023 für Tagung & Konferenz Leipzig Convention

With over 1500 participants at the world cycling summit, a programme of over 80 sessions and more than 430 speakers from around the world, Leipzig made Velo-city history this week. The host city of Leipzig is one of the greenest and most forward-looking in Europe, making it the ideal place to share knowledge, showcase innovation and encourage action to promote cycling as a safe, healthy and sustainable mode of transport.

From the traditional bike parade to improv theatre, from outstanding presentations to musical interludes, Velo-city 2023 had it all. The conference highlighted Leipzig’s ambitious efforts to transform its urban space and prioritise sustainable ways to get around – such as cycling, walking and public transport. Velo-city 2023 was not only a platform for sharing knowledge, but also a catalyst for action, inspiring participants to recommit to creating more bicycle-friendly cities in their respective communities and to prioritise sustainable transport as a means of promoting healthier, more active and liveable urban environments.

Burkhard Jung, Mayor of Leipzig, said: “I was impressed by the wonderful atmosphere here. You can feel the positive spirit and people’s commitment. It seems to me that the cycling community is a very special one: very open, friendly and usually with a smile on its face. Leipzig is proud to have hosted Velo-city. And Leipzig will remain a Velo-city. Sustainable urban development must be based on people and their needs. We build our cities for the people – people-friendly cities.”

Jill Warren, ECF CEO, said: “Leipzig has a long history of Leading the Transition. Some of you may remember Leipzig’s central role in the fall of the Berlin Wall 34 years ago. So it is only fitting that Leipzig is now at the forefront of cities aiming for a green transition. The city is moving away from a car-centric mindset, towards carbon neutrality and a better quality of life for its citizens.”

Sixteen mayors sign declaration to make cycling a fully-fledged mode of transport for all

Velo-city has a long history of inspiring politicians and decision-makers to invest in cycling. And this year was no exception, with mayors from 16 cities signing a declaration to make cycling a fully-fledged mode of transport for all.

According to the declaration, cycling will become a fully-fledged mode of transport when an increasing share of public funding is allocated to the promotion of cycling, when high-quality and safe cycling infrastructure is built in towns and cities, when more incentives are created for cycling for commuting, leisure and tourism, and when public authorities take measures to distribute road space fairly, giving priority to sustainable options such as cycling, walking and public transport, while reducing the volume and speed of motorised traffic.

Smart Pedal Pitch

The Smart Pedal Pitch is an annual international competition for the most innovative and market-ready cycling tech solutions, to shape the future of urban cycling. The winners were announced at Velo-city 2023. First prize went to Telraam, second to VELOVIO and third to See.Sense. The award provides funding for start-ups and SMEs to help build better towns and cities, cycling ecosystems and cycling technologies. The Smart Pedal Pitch 2023 was organised by the City of Leipzig and SpinLab - The HHL Accelerator in cooperation with ECF and Cycling Industries Europe.

Next stop: Velo-city 2024 Ghent

The Belgian city of Ghent will host the world cycling summit at the next edition of Velo-city in 2024. The conference in Leipzig ended with the handover of the Velo-city flag to next year’s host city. Filip Watteeuw, Ghent’s Deputy Mayor for Mobility, Public Space and Urban Planning, accepted the official Velo-city flag. The flag will now embark on a journey of over 700 km, being transported by bicycle from Leipzig to Ghent.

 

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