A bike-friendly future for Brno

Cycling in Brno has grown from 1 to 5% between 2014 and 2022. Yet this still places the city at the lower end of the European range of 5-15%. This is far behind leading cities where cycling accounts for 40% of daily trips.

In 2024, the city took a bold step: they asked their residents what they needed to feel safe and confident on two wheels. Over 3 000 people shared their experiences. The message was clear: connectivity and continuity in cycling routes are crucial. People wanted safe, unbroken paths that connected them to the places they needed to go.

The results of this survey became a turning point. Guided by what residents said, local authorities began developing a new cycling strategy focused on safety and accessibility.

This commitment included a full revision of the 2010 Cycling Master Plan, setting the stage for ambitious goals of increased cycling by 2030 and 2050.

The city asked the EIB for support to develop a comprehensive cycling infrastructure strategy and to identify the most effective projects.

EIB experts helped Brno municipality plan a main network of bike routes and ensure it fits well with other city transport systems, as set out in the city’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.

They reviewed data on where people start and finish their bike journeys and helped design safe, practical cycle lanes, including parking and maintenance facilities. They also advised on possible ways to finance the works.

Removing investment barriers

This cycling infrastructure project in Brno is part of a broader and more ambitious urban investment plan designed to make the city  greener, better connected and more liveable.

As one of the European Investment Bank’s long-standing partners in the Czechia, the municipality of Brno is benefiting from a CZK 6 billion (around € 237.57 million) framework loan, signed in June 2025 to support its multiannual urban development plan. The plan covers a wide range of infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to urban mobility and investments in public infrastructure, water and wastewater systems.

The operation directly contributes to the Bank’s strategic objectives in Integrated Territorial Development and cohesion Regions, fully aligned with its mission to foster an inclusive and balanced regional growth. Targeted mitigation and adaptation measures will help meet the EIB’s Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability goals.