On 1 October 2025, the European Commission released its first progress report on the European Declaration on Cycling, presented to the Council and the European Parliament and officially launched during the Urban Mobility Days 2025. The report, based on the work of the Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM), highlights achievements and next steps in making cycling a greener, healthier, and more inclusive mode of transport across Europe.

Highlighting EIT Urban Mobility’s key initiatives

EIT Urban Mobility is proud that two of our initiatives are featured in the report on the European Declaration on Cycling:

TandEM Women in Cycling: Developed in partnership with BYCS, this programme addresses the gender gap in cycling across the EU. It provides online and in-person training for women to become cycling trainers and community role models, helping them overcome barriers such as safety concerns or lack of confidence. Since its launch in 2022, TandEM has supported 46 women directly, while over 200 more across Europe have gained cycling confidence and skills. Participants include women from diverse backgrounds – from mothers to refugees and students – demonstrating its inclusiveness and community impact.

Study on Return on Investment in Bike-Sharing Schemes: Created in collaboration with Cycling Industries Europe and Ernst & Young (EY), this study provides data-driven evidence of the economic, social, and environmental value of bike-sharing. By guiding policymakers and urban planners in scaling and optimising bike-sharing schemes, it supports the European Declaration’s goals of innovation, investment, and job creation in the cycling sector. A preliminary presentation is available, with the full study launching at the Cycling Industries Europe Summit 2025 on 14 October.

Supporting startups driving cycling innovation

Beyond these flagship initiatives, the Cycling Subgroup progress tracker features a wide range of EIT Urban Mobility-supported projects, with a focus on startups shaping the future of cycling:

• Hilo (Romania): Uses gamification to encourage cycling uptake.
• MOBY Bikes (Dublin): Offers smart shared bike services.
• Spinovate (Ireland): Unlocks new business models for cycling innovation.
• VELOSAFE (Germany): Improves cycling safety through technology and data-driven solutions.

These projects demonstrate how startups are not only testing solutions but also scaling them across European cities, translating policy goals into tangible, measurable impact.

Looking ahead: continued engagement and monitoring

As a next step, the Cycling Subgroup, of which EIT Urban Mobility is an active member, will discuss how to continue monitoring progress within the EGUM framework. This will ensure regular updates, more comprehensive evidence, and deeper engagement with cities and innovators to advance the European Declaration on Cycling.

This recognition underscores EIT Urban Mobility’s role as a trusted partner of the European Commission, providing evidence-based insights, scaling innovative solutions, and empowering local communities and cities to make cycling a safe, inclusive, and sustainable choice.