[sustran] Re: ESCAP Committee on Transport and Communications

[Paul Guitink]

As you might know, preparations have started for a big worldwide Bicycle 
Conference (Velo Mondiale 2000) in the year 2000, to be held in Amsterdam.  
Sponsors include the European Union, the Dutch MoT, the city of Amsterdam, the 
Bicycle Federation of America, the Bicycle Federation of Australia, World Bank, 
while more sponsors need to be identified.

Main objectives of VM 2000 are (i) to define the future role of cycling in a 
sustainable traffic and transport system in communities around the world, and 
(ii) to secure political commitment to promote and implement concrete models for 
change at the beginning of the new century.  While the conference focuses on 
bicycle transport, linkages with public transport and walking will be included.

The preparation process will include the organization of regional workshops that 
will bring together practicioners (non motorized transport experts, working in 
the field) and key policy makers.  The objective is to identify constraints and 
opportunities for mainstreaming non motorized transport into transport 
planning, and recommendations from the regional workshops will be synthesized in  
the Velo Mondiale 2000.  Currently VM 2000 is developing the framework for these 
workshops to make sure the topics are being addressed consistently.  The 
workshops will take one day and will 'piggyback' on planned conferences to 
minimize costs.  Regional workshops will be held in North America, Europe and 
Central Asia, Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and East Asia (possibly the 
last two will be combined).  For the first two regions, hosts have been 
identified: resp. Pro Bike 98 and Velo City Graz (Austria, April 99).  The 
Africa workshop  will possibly take place in the margin of CODATU in Cape Town 
(September 98), but other options are still open.  For Asia and latin America 
suggestions are welcomed (within a timeframe ending early 1999).

While some participants from developing countries can be sponsored through WB 
projects, it will be difficult for others to cover travel and subsistence 
expenses. Furthermore, there are organizational expenses that require financial 
support.

My question is whether you have suggestions regarding (i) what funds or project 
resources can be tapped to support participants and workshop organization, (ii) 
key persons to be invited for the workshops (e.g. Directors of Urban Roads 
departments, transport engineers, etc.), (iii) contacts in multilteral financial 
institutions that might contacted for sponsoring.

All comments and suggestions are welcomed,

Best regards,

Paul Guitink.