On May 23, 2024, everyone who is anyone in the Swiss cycling world gathered at the Kongresshaus Zurich. Among the 300 participants were almost all the players who set the tone in Swiss mountain biking. This was not a matter of course, as the congress line-up was almost exclusively dedicated to urban cycling topics.

The Veloforum also showed how important networking is within cycling, not only, but especially among mountain bikers. Such an opportunity has been missing since the finale of the Ride Congress in 2020. The Veloforum fills a gap here. However, the event also shows how far removed urban issues are from mountain bike issues. The goal of doubling the number of kilometers cycled is exemplary. This target hung over the event in Zurich like a permanent creed. However, what is a desirable target for urban mobility would mean collapse for the sport of mountain biking.

Despite this urban bias, the Veloforum is highly relevant for the sport of mountain biking. The congress proved to be a family get-together where the "dirty" topics did not take center stage, but all the more so in the corridors, at the bar tables and at the bar in the evening.

Further information: veloforum.ch

Press release Veloforum

Initiated by the UCI Cycling and Para-Cycling Road World Championships Zurich 2024, supported by Astra and the City of Zurich and in collaboration with the partner associations, the premiere of the Veloforum not only offered inspiration and insights into the latest cycling developments, but also a unique opportunity for networking between various stakeholders. The speakers, who came from a wide range of specialist areas, enriched the exchange with their perspectives and experiences both in the Kongresshaus and at the subsequent Velonacht in the Papiersaal.

One highlight of the Veloforum was the "Solution Lab" format with two sessions. In the first lab on the topic of "Streets as living space", Daniel Freitag, co-founder of Monopole, said that space would only be cleared for bicycles once a relevant number of cyclists were present. Catherine Elliot from E-Bike City emphasized the need for infrastructure adjustments and traffic planner Thomas Hug said that infrastructure must be built today for the traffic we want tomorrow. In the second lab on the "Bicycle world of the future", Urs Schäppi, CEO of Twinner, explained that the future belongs to smart bikes. Start-up investor Michael Hartweg suggested incentives via app to get people to switch from cars to bikes, and Marc Stoffel from 42 Hacks wants to influence the future of bikes with hackathons.

Other personalities who took part in the Veloforum included Mayor Corine Mauch, FEDRO Director Jürg Röthlisberger, Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara, Professor Patrick Rérat from the University of Lausanne, Pro Velo President Matthias Aebischer, BfU Director Stefan Siegrist and Zurich City Councillor Simone Brander. They all presented and discussed innovative solutions for doubling bicycle kilometers in the coming years.

The Veloforum impressively and sustainably demonstrated the importance of open exchange and intensive networking within the cycling scene in order to jointly shape the promising future of cycling in Switzerland. The inspiring event at the Kongresshaus Zurich underlined the immense importance and potential of promoting cycling in Switzerland.

After the successful meeting at the Kongresshaus Zurich, the next highlight will now follow: the Veloforum will take place at the Swiss Bike Park in Oberried on September 12, 2024. Top, amateur and disabled athletes train here. The Swiss Bike Park is also establishing itself as a discussion, innovation and meeting place for all things cycling. This inspiring environment provides the ideal setting for decision-makers from politics, business and science to come together and discuss a wide range of perspectives on promoting the bicycle system. There will be a joint bike ride before the forum - a perfect opportunity to exchange ideas.