Promotion of bicycle mobility and bicycle safety at the national level is insufficient

This problem was emphasized by Serhiy Vitvitsky, rector of the Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs, Doctor of Law, professor, police colonel, during a round table on Road Safety Week.

International institutions have recently been calling on the political leadership of states to promote the development of bicycle mobility by enshrining relevant decisions in the legislative framework. In April 2024, the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission solemnly proclaimed the joint European Cycling Declaration, which recognizes cycling as one of the most sustainable, accessible, inclusive, affordable and healthy modes of transport.

International trends in the promotion of cycling as an alternative mode of transport that ensures the development of affordable, ecological, healthy and sustainable mobility include many aspects and issues. Many of them are discussed and resolved at the national level.

In particular, the level of development of bicycle mobility is approved by the National Transport Strategy of Ukraine for the period until 2030. However, in general, based on the results of studying this issue and compared to the countries of the European Union, the development of bicycle mobility in our country appears to be insufficient, noted Serhiy Vitvitsky. This primarily concerns the bicycle infrastructure, as well as the level of knowledge of traffic rules by this category of road users. In 2024, 1,502 cyclists were hit on Ukrainian roads, during which 188 cyclists died and 1,682 were injured.

Therefore, the main tasks for solving the problem of bicycle mobility at the national level are the development of appropriate infrastructure, the popularization of this type of transport in communities, and preventive work among road users to ensure compliance with safety rules. It is necessary to develop a number of measures in this direction at the state level and, through joint efforts, find opportunities for their implementation, reaching the European level, emphasizes Serhiy Vitvitsky, rector of the Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs.