| Many EU policymakers leaving their offices last Friday (26 April) were confronted by an impressive sight. The ‘Critical Mass Brussels’ event gathered over 1000 cyclists, according to organisers, for their monthly spin around Brussels. Participants, who assemble on the fringes of the EU quarter on the last Friday of the month, are a diverse bunch. But all share a common desire to see Brussels become a safer and more comfortable city to navigate on two wheels. In this regard, European cyclists had much to celebrate in April. The month kicked off with the signing of the European Declaration on Cycling by representatives of all three EU institutions, at an informal meeting of transport ministers, The Declaration aims to unleash ‘the full potential of cycling in the EU’ and has a long list of policy commitments intended to boost the uptake of cycling. The European Cyclists’ Federation welcomed the move, and noted that it was the first time an inter-institutional cycling policy had been agreed at the European level. But cyclists cannot afford to take their feet off of the pedals just yet. As European Transport Commissioner Adina Valean was keen to emphasise at the meeting, the declaration is non-binding. National, regional and local authorities are under no obligation to respect the Declaration. This matters, because the politics of cycling are typically local, and often rancorous. The post-covid boom in cycling has triggered innumerable conflicts across Europe between motorists and cyclists. A key flashpoint is how road space is allocated – a zero-sum issue with few opportunities for satisfactory compromise. Meanwhile in Brussels, political attention continues to shift away from sustainability, with economic competitiveness likely to shape the post-election agenda of the European Commission. EU cycling policy has had a wobbly first start – but a firm grip on the handlebars will be needed if it is to pick up speed. | 