Leading bike companies and the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) joined forces at this year's Eurobike trade show to launch the Cycling Industry Club (CIC). Members are calling upon other businesses to join the group and help raise €1 million of advocacy money by next year.
The fund will be used to further pro-cycling policies across Europe and help the ECF realise its aim of tripling the number of cyclists in Europe by 2020. Prominent members of the new club include Accell Group (whose brands include Ghost, Lapierre and Koga), DT Swiss, Schwalbe, Selle Royal, SRAM, Trek and Trelock.
“Strong advocacy will only strengthen the bicycle industry, and vice versa. It’s a mutually sustaining relationship," said ECF president Manfred Neun. "Lobby and promotion work which improves overall conditions for cyclists is in the best interests of the cycling industry. More people cycling will ultimately mean more bicycles being sold.”
Members are calling upon other players in the bicycle industry to get on board. John Burke, president of Trek Bicycle Corporation, said: “There's a responsibility for those companies who have done well in Europe to give back. And this is a great way to give back… So many people in the industry believe that the bicycle is a simple solution to many complicated problems, and this is a great opportunity to put their money where their mouth is.”
The ECF, based in Brussels, has more than 60 member organisations across 40 countries. As well as promoting cycling at the international level it runs the EuroVelo (European cycle route network), Scientists for Cycling (encouraging cycling-related research) and Cities for Cyclists (promoting urban bike use) programmes, and organises the Velo-city and Velo-city Global conference series. It's also the lead partner in several EU funded projects such as PRESTO (promoting cycling as daily transport) and CYCLE Logistics (encouraging bike use for transporting goods).