Geneva to host Velo-city 2028

BRUSSELS – The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) announce that Geneva, Switzerland, has been selected as the host city for Velo-city 2028, the world’s leading conference for cycling planning and promotion. Taking place from 13-16 June 2028, the event will bring together policymakers, researchers, advocates, and industry leaders for a dynamic exchange on the future of cycling in a city renowned for its commitment to sustainable, cross-border mobility.

Geneva’s selection follows a highly competitive bidding process, which originally saw the city apply to host the 2027 edition. The strength of its bid and its vision for cycling convinced the ECF Board to award Geneva the 2028 edition, ensuring that the city’s ambitious plans for cycling infrastructure and policy will be showcased on a global stage.

Geneva has been actively developing its cycling infrastructure since the 1980s, fostering a vibrant and deeply rooted local cycling community. In recent years, progress has accelerated with temporary “covid lanes” becoming permanent and a growing commitment to cleaner, healthier urban environments. Today, more than 60% of Geneva’s roads are adapted for cyclists, and the multi-level support for cycling is boosting this further.

Nationally, the Swiss Confederation’s Cycle Pact Act mandates cities to develop high-quality cycling networks. Geneva, a leading canton, is implementing its 2024-2028 Active Mobility Action Plan, which includes 12 major cycle routes and greenways to promote cycling as a viable alternative to car commuting and reduce carbon emissions.

“We are excited to bring Velo-city to Geneva in 2028. Geneva’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility in an integrated and cross-border context, combined with its international profile, makes it an outstanding host for the conference. We look forward to working closely with Geneva to create an inspiring and impactful event.” said Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation.

“The Canton of Geneva is proud to announce that it will host the Velo-city Forum in 2028, an event that will highlight the region’s progress in active mobility. This forum is part of Geneva’s commitment to a transition to modes of transport better suited to short distances, notably through the Active Mobility Plan. The theme “Beyond Borders” clearly illustrates Geneva’s desire to be a hub for cross-border cooperation and innovation. The Forum will be an opportunity to share the region’s expertise, exchange ideas with leading specialists and inspire sustainable solutions both at local and international levels.” commented Pierre Maudet, State Councillor, State of Geneva.

“Velo-city fits in perfectly with the City of Geneva’s Climate Strategy, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030. In terms of mobility, the 2028 Congress will be a tremendous boost for soft mobility, particularly active mobility such as cycling.” says Alfonso Gomez, member of the Geneva city Executive Council, in charge of Environment.

With a border stretching over 100 kilometres with France, Geneva works closely with its French neighbours to advance sustainable, cross-border mobility. The main Velo-city 2028 theme Beyond Borders highlights the work of the Greater Geneva partnership, representing more than 1 million people, who set an ambitious goal to triple cycling’s modal share by 2050 and develop a seamless, multimodal transport network. A flagship initiative is the Léman Express, launched in 2019, which already connects 45 train stations across the region and is complemented by an expanding network of cycle paths and bike stations.

Pro Velo Geneva announced,“We are delighted that our city will be hosting the Velo-city conference, a must-attend event for those passionate about sustainable mobility, where great minds meet to promote cycling as an everyday mode of transport. This must be a strong signal to our authorities, who will have to put in place a series of strong measures between now and the hosting of the conference in 2028! During the bid, we were able to showcase the leading role played by Geneva’s rich network of associations, and to demonstrate the extent to which our actions have been decisive in the rise of cycling, making Geneva a key player in the panel of European cities that have made leaps and bounds for sustainable mobility. We look forward to playing an active part in the organization of Velo-city, and to staging events that bring together participants of the conference and residents of Greater Geneva.” 

“Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce that we will be partnering with the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) and the City and State of Geneva to bring Velo-city 2028 to this vibrant and forward-thinking city. As a Professional Conference Organizer, we are committed to delivering an exceptional event that celebrates cycling, sustainability, and urban mobility on a global stage. We can’t wait to welcome the world’s cycling community to Geneva for an inspiring and impactful Velo-city 2028.”  said Anouk Rey, Managing Director, K.I.T. Group Switzerland.

“The collaboration with the City of Geneva, the State of Geneva, the Swiss Confederation, France, the cycling community and K.I.T. Group Switzerland has been dynamic and fruitful during the entire procedure. This candidacy clearly shows how we in Geneva cooperate in different levels to build strong candidacies and bring valuable events in the destination. Thank you to the entire team of the European Cyclists’ Federation for your trust and support! We are honoured to host in 2028 Velo-City. It will be an excellent opportunity to share good practices with participants coming from all over Europe.” says David Cougoule from the Geneva Convention Bureau.

The article Geneva to host Velo-city 2028 first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.