ecf, 10/7/2013

July 10th, 2013-Brussels
For Immediate Release

Another major European cycle manufacturer has declared its support for ECF’s advocacy work by signing up to the ECF Cycling Industry Club. 

Cycleurope, owner of a family of major cycling brands including Bianchi, Gitane, Crescent, DBS, Puch, Monark, Spectra, Kildemoes, Everton, Tec and holder of the Peugeot licence has joined the club reflecting its status as one of Europe’s major cycle manufacturers.
 
Cycleurope CEO Tony Grimaldi says, “Our decision to join the ECF Cycling Industry Club emphasizes the importance of cycling advocacy to our company. We know that we have to win the support of governments if we want to double cycling in Europe and continue to strengthen the cycling industry for the benefit of all companies.I think every European cycling company should join the club in order to increase the importance of the bicycle in cities of the future. I am delighted to take our place in the group.”
 
Cycleurope joins CIC founders and leading European players Accell, Schwalbe and Selle Royal. The industry club was launched at Eurobike in 2011 with the aim of raising funds of at least €1million per year for advocacy in Europe
 
As well as bringing in Cycleurope as an international partner ECF has been working closely with Cycleurope’s Swedish parent company Grimaldi Industries in order to strengthen the impact of cycling in a number of key economic and political forums in the country
 
Kevin Mayne, Development Director of ECF explains “This is a really good example of how advocacy and business can combine to put cycling on the highest political agendas. As a major business in Sweden Grimaldi Holdings is invited to places that are not usually open to cycling advocates. Working with Tony Grimaldi we have created a number of impactful messages about the importance of cycling in the leading cities of the world which Tony has been able to present to key political figures.”
 
With more members and more money this is an approach we can replicate in many other countries.”Tony Grimaldi agrees. “We feel we can work really well with ECF because we share common values and they have so much knowledge and expertise in presenting policy arguments that they are a fantastic resource for us.”
 

Notes to editors:

About the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)
With over 70 members across nearly 40 countries, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) unites cyclist’ associations from across the globe, giving them a voice on the international level. Our aim is to get more people cycling more often by influencing policy in favour of cycling.
ECF’s members are complemented by networks Scientists for Cycling, Cities for Cycling and the ECF Cycling Industry Club.
More at www.ecf.com
 
About Cycleurope
Cycleurope is a leader in the field of bicycling.
Cycleurope produces bikes for brands like Gitane, Bianchi and Peugeot in  France . Internationally, the group is a leader across Europe, particularly in the Nordic markets, and its products are distributed in 50 countries in America,  Asia  and  Australia.  Cycleurope  has  production units in three European countries: Sweden, France and Italy.
More at www.cycleurope.com

- See more at: http://www.ecf.com/press_release/cycleurope-joins-the-ecf-cycling-industry-club/#sthash.SBneetJJ.dpuf