As Silver Partner of Velo-city 2025, we were proud to contribute to the conference program by hosting a panel session focused on a key challenge in urban mobility today: how to deliver cycling infrastructure and foster a culture of ‘cycle happiness’.

With colleagues from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom present, our session brought together active travel leaders from across Europe to share what it takes to integrate cycling into citizens' everyday lives.

As Arcadian Alex van Gent put it, delivering “cycle happiness” means applying the five core principles when delivering projects in local communities: safety, directness, connectivity, attractiveness and comfort.
 

Designing for joy: how can we inspire cycling as a daily habit?

Creating joyful cycling experiences goes beyond engineering. Our panellists agreed that emotion, storytelling and boldness are powerful tools for change.

Ewoud Vink from the Province of Utrecht challenged designers and planners to be bold: “Sometimes, just do it. Don’t wait for permission to add joy and beauty to infrastructure.” In Utrecht, enhancements like rainbow crossings and welcoming public space are embedded into cycling projects without asking for extra budget.

We also heard that connecting cycling with broader themes, such as community identity, childhood freedom or environmental action, can increase support and participation. Gil Penalosa’s keynote reminded us that advocates must show up and shift the narrative to counter “CAVE” (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) attitudes. Whether it's through smiling children on bikes, or visuals of people cycling through rain in the Netherlands, we can change perceptions by showcasing everyday cycling in action.

Key tactics shared during the conference included:
 

• Using storytelling to share real-life motivations, such as how people overcame barriers to start cycling.

 

• Promoting visibility of diverse cyclists—women, seniors, children—not just “men in lycra”.

 

• Normalising cycling through school programs, participatory planning tools and local ambassador initiatives.

 

Creating infrastructure that works for people

Designing infrastructure that encourages more people to cycle means addressing both function and experience. Thomas Verlinden from the Province of Antwerp emphasised the importance of integrating recreational and functional cycling networks. “Even people commuting to work enjoy a pleasant environment,” he said. That sometimes means planning routes through parks and green corridors rather than along noisy highways.

Antwerp itself is taking steps to make its infrastructure more inviting for all ages and abilities. Recent projects include a helix-style cycling bridge nestled into a forest and wide cycleways with gentle slopes and green surroundings. Design choices like these support both usability and delight, and they help normalise cycling as a comfortable, enjoyable mode of travel.

As echoed by several speakers, cities must:
 

• Design for inclusivity, considering children, elderly people and riders with adaptive bikes.

 

• Prioritise safety by aligning cycling strategies with Vision Zero goals.

 

• Use behavioural data to understand how people navigate and perceive the built environment.

Tools like iRAP and data collaborations (such as Arcadis’ work with DOK data in the Netherlands) are helping cities evaluate and predict where cycling infrastructure can make the biggest impact.

Shaping culture through language and leadership

The final discussion explored how to embed cycling into organisational and community culture. For Máté Sebok of Budapest, this starts internally: “Positive storytelling shouldn’t be limited to the public or politicians. It must also happen within road administrations and city departments.”

Language matters. In Budapest, they avoid the term “cyclists” altogether, opting instead for “people on bikes” to reduce polarisation and open the conversation. Máté shared how his team uses city branding, emotional framing and images of real people enjoying new infrastructure to drive support and engagement.

The group agreed on a few core principles for building a cycling culture:
 

• Use positive language: talk about freedom, safety, cleaner air and community, not just restrictions or closures.

 

• Align goals across departments: involve health, education and city branding teams to support active travel holistically.

 

• Celebrate wins: highlight successes with compelling visuals and testimonials.

Cycling towards happier cities

Velo-city 2025 was a celebration of momentum. Across Europe and beyond, cities are not just building infrastructure—they build confidence, joy and identity through cycling.

At Arcadis, we’re proud to help cities go beyond blueprints and budgets. By combining technical delivery with behavioural insights and a passion for people-first design, we support the global movement toward happier, healthier streets.

As our speakers reminded us: cycle happiness is within reach—if we are bold enough to design for it.