This brochure has been specially developed for a step-by-step plan to set up and carry out a successful policy to stimulate people to cycle. It offers practical guidelines, tips, and examples for inspiration. The brochure is designed to change cycling behaviour (the ‘soft’ component of stimulating people to cycle) and not for the improvement of cycling infrastructure (the ‘hard’ component).

Policies designed to encourage cycling over the long term are essential for a healthy mobility system. Structural behavioural change through encouraging people to cycle helps not only to continually change conscious behaviour (for example: “I’ll cycle because that’s better for my health and the environment”), but also unconscious behaviour driven by habits (for example: “Driving is the easiest, because my car is parked just outside the door”).

This brochure shows you which elements are important for preparing and carrying out a project to encourage cycling, step-by-step.