What is PRESTO?

PRESTO is a project to promote cycling in Europe

In some European cities, cycling is already a significant transport mode, but cycling still has a huge potential that has yet to be activated. PRESTO will remove likely barriers and help to develop a real cycling culture in European cities. Five European cities – Bremen (Germany), Grenoble (France), Tczew (Poland), Venice (Italy) and Zagreb (Croatia), with varying levels of cycling mode share – provide an ideal arena to address the undeveloped potentials of cycling. PRESTO activities in these cities focus on improved infrastructure planning and targeted promotion to encourage the use of bicycles (including pedelecs). Pedelecs are electrically assisted pedal bicycles on which you have to pedal to get moving. Pedelecs differ from e-bikes which have a motor which can function independently of whether you pedal or not.

PRESTO works on 3 thematic pillars

• Infrastructure planning: well-planned infrastructure is key in increasing cycling uptake. PRESTO will give advice in order to develop sound plans for practical and safe cycling conditions.
• Promotion of urban cycling: in order to help to change attitudes towards cycling, information is of key importance. Targeted information and other soft measures will encourage people to get on their bikes, and they will begin to appreciate the possibilities and opportunities available for cyclists. In this way, people will change their perceptions, and a real cycling culture can become a reality.
• Promotion of pedelecs: pedelecs provide the choice of cycling to those who may not normally be considered within standard cycling promotion schemes: such as the elderly, or people who live in very hilly areas. Promotion of pedelecs among these groups will enlarge the audience for the uptake of cycling.

PRESTO is the first European project to involve bike dealers

The European trade association for bicycle dealers (ETRA), partner in PRESTO, aims to make local bicycle dealers better aware of the need for an appropriate bicycle offer for urban cycling. PRESTO will be organising so-called “try-out days” in the five PRESTO cities with a view to familiarising road users with the phenomenon of electrically assisted pedal bikes and with its possibilities. A Policy Guideline and a number of Fact Sheets on pedelecs will be available on the PRESTO website.