Control of urban mobility is essential as one of the tools of improving or maintaining quality of life of urban citizens. Inefficiency of transport systems, high economic cost of individual motorized transport, air pollution and the negative impact on historic city centers are worldwide phenomena.

As accessibility is more and more a problem for cities throughout the world the function of the city is at stake. Transport plays an essential role in the functioning of cities. An effective transport system contributes not only to the economic function of the city but also benefits the overall quality of living conditions of its citizens.

A vision is needed on how cities should develop and as a consequence what requisites are needed for developing an efficient and functional transport system. (Re-) allocation of space should be a result of the development vision of the city and therefore define the role of each transport mode and their interrelations. Cycling as such can only be part of a solution although an important role for cycling can be achieved.

Preoccupation about living conditions in cities though not new, is worldwide paid attention to by initiatives as Local Agenda 21, Car Free City initiatives, Climate conferences as held in Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg. Apart from ecological related aspects of livability of cities also socio- economic aspects con be taken into account when considering the chances of the inhabitants of cities. In combating poverty it is acknowledged that access to efficient transport systems is an essential part of participation in the economic process.

Apart from access to the labour market mobility is also an essential factor in participating in social, political and cultural life. Concerns towards mobility is an essential factor and duty of local governments towards inhabitants of town and cities.

The URB-AL program is a horizontal program of decentralized co-operation of the European Commission that brings together cities, agglomerations and regions in the European Union and Latin America. It deals in particular with increasing the transfers of knowledge, experiences and know how.

The project "Integration of cycling in urban planning and transport policies in middle sized cities in Europe and Latin America" is part of the theme "control of urban mobility" The project is a result of collaboration between different cities and other partners in Europe and Latin America who found each other in their shared interest to exchange experiences about this theme.

Financial contributions to execute the project were obtained for a mayor part from the European Commission (70%) as the other part was contributed by the project members (30%)themselves.

Thew views expressed herein are those of the Municipality of Utrecht,and the other project members, and can therefore in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Commission.