With 11 new members and 168 renewals, the 2023 edition of FIAB-ComuniCiclabili ended a few days ago, initiative launched in 2017 by the Italian Federation for Environment and Cycling, which recognises the efforts of local administrations that put concrete cycling policies into practice by assessing the degree of cyclability of municipalities, i.e. the set of infrastructures and actions that make them suitable for cycling.
The most deserving municipalities
This brings the number of Italian municipalities in the network to almost 180, including nine regional capitals and 26 provincial capitals. There are 13 territories this year that, thanks to the activities they have put in place, have deserved a promotion: Florence, Bergamo and Treviso went from 3 to 4 bike smiles, a score also achieved by Fano (PU), Misano Adriatico (RN), San Felice sul Panaro (MO), Sissa Trecasali (PR) and Tortoreto (TE). Fossalta di Piave (VE) and Martinsicuro (TE) were awarded 3 bike smiles, while Gioia del Colle (BA), Porto San Giorgio (FM) and Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE) were awarded 2 bike smiles.
On the other hand, FIAB’s ComuniCiclabili were confirmed with the highest score (5 bike smiles) by the cities of Bolzano, Cesena (FC), Ferrara, Pesaro, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia and Rimini together with the municipalities of Arborea (OR), Cavallino-Treporti (VE), Favignana (TP), Grado (GO) and Merano (BZ).
In fact, FIAB-ComuniCiclabili gives territories a score from 1 to 5, assigned on the basis of an objective analysis of the many aspects that interact with cycling as a sustainable means of transport. There are four areas of evaluation: urban mobility (urban cycling/infrastructure, traffic and speed moderation), governance (urban mobility policies and services), communication & promotion and, finally, cycling tourism.
The ComuniCiclabili initiative
‘FIAB-ComuniCiclabili is not an award,’ explained Alessandro Tursi, president of FIAB “but a tool designed and developed to help administrations assess, on the basis of precise criteria, how ‘bicycle-friendly’ their territory really is for residents and tourists, and to accompany them on a path of constant improvement over time. In spite of funding cuts, in fact, many municipalities continue, with farsightedness, to work on the issue of cycling, well aware of the potential of cycling as a key solution to combat, now more than ever, the energy crisis and climate crisis”.
The 2023 edition of FIAB-ComuniCiclabili was sponsored by by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, ECF-European Cyclists’ Federation, ANCI-Associazione Nazionale Comuni Italiani, INU-Istituto Nazionale di Urbanistica, Associazione dei Comuni Virtuosi, ALI-Autonomie Locali Italiane, Città in Bici, Centro Ricerca per il Trasporto e la Logistica de la Sapienza, World Cycling Alliance and WWF.
Next September, applications will be opened by Italian municipalities wishing to participate in the 2024 edition.
Source: FIAB
