Detailed description (English): Bicycle Mayors are independent city catalysts that bring together the public and private realms to uncover the massive economic, health, and environmental benefits of increased cycling capacity.
BYCS developed the concept and facilitated the election of the world’s first Bicycle Mayor in Amsterdam in June 2016. Since then, the idea has caught the attention of cities around the world, and we’ve helped set up new Mayors on every continent. We continue to act as the international conveing organization powering the network.
Bicycle Mayors can accelerate the changes we need to see by uniting all citizens to take action. They are the face and voice of cycling in a city. They share best practice, highlight innovation, co-develop new toolkits, and continuously develop leadership and insights as they relate to cycling progress. Crucially, Mayors act on local needs but by connecting them across the global network -rapidly sharing ideas, challenges and solutions- we can create a truly radical shift.
Do you want a Bicycle Mayor in your city?
“They role model good behaviour, identify solutions to local needs and bring together cycling organizations, residents, businesses and governments globally to make change happen.” - Huffington Post
Target group(s): We are looking for change makers and leaders, people who can mobilise others who believe they should push for more cycling in their cities and regions. Our goal is 50x30, half of all trips by bike by 2030 and therefore, via the bicycle mayors and their supporters, we have to reach out to billions of people. We think the program will have the largest impact in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Objectives: We are an Amsterdam-based social enterprise, driven by the belief that bicycles transform cities and cities transform the world. We work internationally with businesses, governments and non-profits to initiate and scale breakthrough ideas around cycling.
We see a world where 50% of all city trips are by bicycle by 2030. We call this global vision 50by30. It demands the brightest ideas and the most determined action. And we believe it will lead to a fundamental increase in health, happiness and prosperity for all. Cycling is more than transportation. It is transformation.
A short video is here: https://vimeo.com/275640061/864650126d
Expected Outcomes: By this time in 2019, we will have over 50 bicycle mayors in the program. By the time we get to 2030, we will have over a 1.000. They get funded by the work they do in their local CycleLabs (research, piloting) and they measure and fund their impact with the Impact Index we are creating together. By then, they motivate, inspire and impact billions of citizens.
One of the examples of the current impact we already have is Areli Carréon, Bicycle Mayor of Mexico-city. She is now named as one of the 9 most influential women in Mexico on wikipedia, she works with the Women 4 climate initiative and she and her team have a great impact in the city. The Bicycle Mayor & Leader Program has reached millions of people already via the global media, just google 'Bicycle Mayor'.
Partner: On behalf of the Bicycle Mayor & Leader Program, BYCS.org collaborates with lots of global and local initiatives, people, businesses and organisations around cycling, sustainability, health and citymaking.