Teaching kids about biking in their cities is one of the most essential ways to maintain and increase cycling numbers. Learning the skills necessary to master cycling in their cities is a right all children should have access to through school and community programs.

Velo-city Global 2012 organizers; the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), owners of the Velo-city conference series; and the City of Vancouver have announced the upcoming signing of the Charter of Vancouver on Children and Cycling, which will officiate this right.

Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson and ECF president Manfred Neun will be among the expected signatories of the charter on June 29, 2012, during the Velo-city Global 2012 conference in Vancouver, BC.

According to a release:

The Charter of Vancouver is a document outlining the important connection between children and cycling, and is based on the United Nations 1990 Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Charter is designed to recognize children’s rights worldwide, the special ability of cycling to enshrine them and a commitment from the signatories to call for the adoption of goals, policies and practices towards cycling as a means to further recognize and promote the rights of children.

…

At Velo-city Global 2012, children and cycling are the foundation of one of the conference’s major themes, Empowering People and Inclusivity. Conference delegates can expect sessions focusing on incorporating cycling education into school curriculums, promoting youth engagement in alternative transport planning and transportation decision making, as well as best practices for bike to school programs.

The signed document is expected to “serve as a legacy for the City of Vancouver (and) the Velo-city Global 2012 conference,” the release continued. It formally recognizes the importance of teaching children about cycling and continuing to support the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation.

ABOUT VELO-CITY GLOBAL 2012

Velo-city Global is the world’s premier international cycling planning conference. The four-day event offers delegates from around the world a chance to share best practices for creating and sustaining cycling-friendly cities where bicycles are valued as part of daily transport and recreation.

The Velo-city Global conference unites politicians, engineers, planners, architects, social marketers, academics, researchers, environmentalists, advocates, educators and industry representatives. Delegates join forces and foster international collaborations. The event also draws experts from related areas, such as health, economics and the environment.

Velo-city Global 2012 is expected to host over 1,000 delegates from around the world. The conference will be held June 26 -29 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center Hotel, accessible by the new Hornby Street separated bike lanes.

Visit velo-city2012.com/registration to register now.

Check back to the Countdown to Velo-city 2012 blog each week for updates on the conference, its speakers and the people on the attendance list.

Originally published on momentummag.com.