Children’s and young people’s participation has been included as a key theme for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan
© BMV
The Bundesjugendring welcomes the fact that young people’s perspectives will thus be explicitly incorporated into the further implementation of the NRVP. As part of the interim evaluation, the Bundesjugendring had contributed insights, experiences, demands and recommendations from youth associations and organisations.
Many of the points raised are reflected in the summary report: for example, the importance of safe routes to school and training, well-connected leisure and social spaces, sufficient and secure cycle parking facilities, socially equitable access to cycling, and greater involvement of young people in planning and implementation. The report also highlights the particular importance of road safety and a sense of personal safety for children and young people.
The interim evaluation makes it clear that youth-friendly cycling policy is not a minor issue. For young people, cycling often means independent mobility, social participation, and access to education, training, leisure and community involvement. To ensure that young people can use bicycles safely and as a matter of course in their everyday lives, there is a need for well-developed, safe and accessible infrastructure, as well as opportunities for participation that take young people seriously not only as a target group but as active contributors.
It is now crucial that the core issues identified are effectively addressed in the further implementation of the National Cycling Plan (NRVP) and that the needs and experiences of young people are consistently taken into account in cycling policy.