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Philip Amaral

@philipamaral.bsky.social
222 followers 260 following 57 posts

I'm the Director of Policy & Development at the European Cyclists’ Federation. We're Europe's largest pro-cycling civil society association. ecf.com

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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Mark Sutton @marksuttonbike.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
A data dive here from British Columbia, assessing e-bike subsidy deployment. Key points: Car use down 20% - ave increase of e-bike mileage of 40km per week, car use down 17km/wk. Travel costs down 12% $4.1m of the total $15.3m only spent due to subsidy www.cyclingelectric.com/in-depth/e-b...
cyclingelectric.com
E-bike subsidy study reveals car use down 20%, travel costs 12%
In a brand new study, The University of British Columbia has revealed a stunning array of benefits to those who
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
HowDoYou Guide @howdoyou.guide · 26/09/2025
Hi @npr.org! We worked late tonight putting together this handy pocket guide! It doesn't address road design issues, but if we're going to educate road users, we should include drivers. It's the size of a folded business card. Print it, fold it, put it in your wallet!
"How Do You Avoid Hitting People With Your Car" pocket guide. Instructs readers to Watch the Road and Slow Down. Further text humorously insists that watching the road and slowing down are indeed important.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Spent a magical night with Neil Young in Brussels with, I don’t know, many thousands of others. He’s definitely not faded away.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
@craigwinneker.bsky.social I don't see your 'I'm gonna need more coffee' posts, but clearly this is a candidate:
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Captain, I think we’re gonna need a second cargo bike 😆 #quaxing #cargobikelife #rockmusic
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Mark Sutton @marksuttonbike.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
A big part of what we do at @cyclingelectric.bsky.social is help people get started, without the jargon. Saskia Heijltjes recently helped us with this brief, taking her experience as a family cycling writer with @cyclesprog.bsky.social to guide our readers. www.cyclingelectric.com/in-depth/cyc...
cyclingelectric.com
Getting started cycling: Advice for e-bike beginners
Cycling has the image of being dominated by sporty men, but thanks to e-bikes, the barriers are coming down, writes
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
France's largest bike parking garage is open for business in the City of Lyon. With quick access to the main train station, Lyon Part-Dieu, this will be a great way to help commuters combine bike and train journeys. actu.fr/auvergne-rho...
actu.fr
Lyon. 1 500 places vélo sous la Part-Dieu : le plus grand parking de France est ouvert
1 534 places gratuites, deux niveaux, un accès sécurisé... Au cœur du quartier de la Part-Dieu à Lyon, la plus grande vélostation de France a été inaugurée ce mercredi 14 mai.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
New parasol with an 18kg base? That’s a cargo bike job 😀
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
For beer runs or band practice, cargo bikes are the answer. 🍻🎸 Enjoy your weekend!
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Momentum Magazine @momentummag.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Here are just 10 ways bicycles deliver the freedom that cars can only promise. momentummag.com/here-are-jus...
momentummag.com
Here are just 10 ways bicycles deliver the freedom that cars can only promise
The reality is that, instead of freedom, cars and planning for cars is expensive, unhealthy, disastrous for the environment and just not cool.
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Momentum Magazine @momentummag.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
The World’s Best Cities for 2025 highlights cities that are not only thriving economically and culturally, but also setting the standard for creating living cities—places that prioritize livability, sustainability, accessible transit, and, yes, the humble bicycle. momentummag.com/cities-on-th...
momentummag.com
Cities on the World's Best List are Putting People First Not Cars
According to the latest report, these cities stand out for their approach to urban development with innovative mobility solutions
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Cycling UK Official @cyclinguk.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Kids, the weekly shop & the dog? No problem. E-cargo bikes are helping families ditch their cars for everyday trips—with a little electric assist. 🚲 “They make you smile & turn heads” ⚡ “I wouldn’t have considered it without electric assist” 👉 Read more: cyclinguk.org/family-cargo-bike
cyclinguk.org
The family cargo bike
Cutting car use is easier with electric assistance. Five cyclists describe their experiences of switching to an e-cargo bike for everyday journeys
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Am I following any #illustrators or #graphicdesigners on here that might be interested in proposing a logo for an EU-funded project my organisation (@ecf.com) is in? Or maybe you know a freelance illustrator or graphic designer? Please pass the word around or apply yourself. www.smile-city.eu
smile-city.eu
Home | Smilecity
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Ceri Woolsgrove @ceriwoolsgrove.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
We @ecf.com co-sign a letter to EU Commission president @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu with 9 other EU organisations, calling on EU to reject US vehicle standards or "regulatory equivalence" in automotive trade negotiations www.ecf.com/en/news/ecf-...
ecf.com
ECF co-sign letter to Commission President von der Leyen to reject US vehicle standards in trade negotiations
ECF co-sign letter to Commission President von der Leyen to reject US vehicle standards in trade negotiations
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Alternatively, you could just visit Canada. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/t...
nytimes.com
Traveling to the U.S. Under Trump: Visas, Border Control and What to Know (Gift Article)
With increasing news reports of travelers being denied entry, understanding what might prompt extra scrutiny is key. Here’s what to know.
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com · 30/03/2025
It was a privilege joining the 6,632 SC Freiburg fans—and our friend Jill—who cycled to Europa-Park Stadium for today's match against Union Berlin. Not only did we all beat the traffic, but—as is custom—one euro was donated to a local charitable organization for each bike counted outside the gates.
Hundreds of parked bikes sit outside Europa-Park Stadium, home of SC Freiburg.Six cyclists ride in a bike lane past a red sign reads "Stadion" with a bike symbol in Freiburg, Germany.Three middle aged adults wearing red and white scarves pose for a selfie during a SC Freiburg football match.A full stadium of fans wearing red and white clothing during a SC Freiburg football match against Union Berlin.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Any graphic designers out there who are into mobility and transport issues? I’m in an EU-funded project that needs a logo. The project is about converting recyclable stuff like tires into bike lanes and e-bike charging points. Check it out 👇 www.smile-city.eu
smile-city.eu
Home | Smilecity
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Hillary Clinton: This Is Just Dumb (Gift Article)
The Signal group chat is only the latest in a string of self-inflicted wounds by the new administration.
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Tara Goddard @drtaragoddard.com · 26/03/2025
This is honestly bananas. I shudder to think how many of these private chats exist. Being horrified about this should not be political. We should all pay for journalism (maybe someday more tax-funded support?). Since I pay for the Atlantic, here is a gift link: www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
theatlantic.com
Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal
The administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Parisians voted overwhelmingly in favour of pedestrianising 500 more streets. Yes, voter turnout was low (4%). But it shows yet again that on issues like these that most citizens are fine to try new things & the opposition is actually a very small and vocal minority. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
reuters.com
Paris residents vote in favour of making 500 more streets pedestrian
This was the third such referendum in Paris following a 2023 vote that approved a ban on e-scooters and a decision last year to triple parking charges for large SUVs.
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Olivia Rudgard @oliviarudgard.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Such a lovely story about the joy of e-biking!
theatlantic.com
An E-Bike Transformed My Family’s Life
Getting around on one might be a bit slower than in a car, but it’s also so much richer.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Fresh #roadsafety stats from the Brussels Capital Region shows that the rate of cyclists in the city has grown by more than 50% while the risk of death and serious injuries is decreasing. Good news! Probably a mix of safety in numbers with new bike infrastructure. www.linkedin.com/pulse/moins-...
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
I just want to be this guy, but in a room with half as many or more electric guitars and a wall full of pedals. And lots of bikes. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/t...
nytimes.com
Larry Bell’s Vast Collection of 12-String Acoustic Guitars (Gift Article)
The artist Larry Bell has amassed a vast collection of acoustic instruments, carefully stored in a climate-controlled room.
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) @corporateeurope.org · 18/03/2025
Fake news has become a powerful tool in the hands of the right-wing in the European Parliament. Since early 2024 two myths have been spread about EU funding of NGOs. They have no substance, but still lay the ground for debate and proposals Read our article! corporateeurope.org/en/2025/03/f...
corporateeurope.org
False alarm: fake news and the right fuel attack on NGOs
Documents show the European Commission initiated its attacks on civil society funding due to pressure from right wing MEPs early 2024, even if the institution must have known their arguments were fals...
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Fabian Küster @fabiankuester.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
How much CO2 could Europe save in the transport sector by shifting to cycling? To explore this question, ecf.com has conducted a literature review—while it may not provide a definitive answer, it sheds light on the potential role of cycling. www.ecf.com/en/news/http...
ecf.com
Cycling’s Potential to Reduce GHG Emissions from the Transport Sector – An ECF Literature Review
Cycling’s Potential to Reduce GHG Emissions from the Transport Sector – An ECF Literature Review
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Fabian Küster @fabiankuester.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Here at ecf.com, we work to encourage more people cycling more often in Europe. While this doesn't mean entirely 'car-free,' every car removed from our cities and replaced with someone walking or cycling a blessing. So many great cities are leading the way! www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...
washingtonpost.com
Why Europe is going ‘car free’
At a time when NYC and the Trump administration are battling over a congestion pricing program, Europe is dramatically scaling back its relationship with cars.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Proud to see our CEO Jill Warren profiled in the NY Times today! @ecf.com www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/h...
nytimes.com
Clearing the Way for Bicyclists, for a Healthier Population and Planet
Jill Warren heads the European Cyclists’ Federation, a Brussels-based nongovernmental organization that advocates cycling to help lower carbon emissions.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Europe's top region for cycling is ... Flanders, Belgium? The Netherlands is still undoubtedly the most cycle-friendly country in Europe. But Flanders is catching up as a region by making big investments (€47.90 per capita!) and having big goals. Read about it here 👇 www.ecf.com/en/news/flan...
ecf.com
Flanders Challenges the Netherlands to Become Europe’s Top Cycling Region
Flanders Challenges the Netherlands to Become Europe’s Top Cycling Region
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
One of the best things a person can do right now is to purchase a subscription to a real news outlet. One with real journos doing real journalism, covering lots of angles and calling it like it is, based on facts. Don't get your news from social media (or WaPo, because Bezos). I subscribe to NYT.
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
Paul Varry dreamed of a cycling revolution. Then a man intentionally drove his SUV into the separated bike lane in Paris and murdered Paul.
bbc.com
Paris: Paul Varry dreamed of a cycling revolution. Then an SUV crushed him
Paul Varry's death has triggered a debate in Paris over the dramatic expansion of cycle infrastructure.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Pedestrians & cyclists are often told to wear reflective clothing. And if hit by a car, these people are often blamed if they weren't wearing it. But with more and more cars having automatic braking systems, will high-viz clothing work, if it ever did? Seems not. www.iihs.org/news/detail/...
iihs.org
High-visibility clothing may thwart pedestrian crash prevention sensors
Reflective clothing makes pedestrians stand out to human drivers, but it may make them invisible to automated crash prevention systems.
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Strandvogel @strandvogel.united-for-democracy.com · 12/02/2025
A quick #resistance task #GulfofMexico
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
This week, the world has seemed more screwed up than usual. In times like these we need to let our hair down & dance. So I'm dropping this for anyone in #Brussels who's looking for a little rock n roll. The after-show DJ is Brussels' own cycling officer (I'm still a cycling activist after all 😀)
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Following up on this ... @corporateeurope.bsky.social reveals that MEP Monika Hohlmeier, who has led the charge against EU funding of NGOs through its LIFE Programme, gets a salary from a German association that - wait for it - gets money from the LIFE Programme. corporateeurope.org/en/2025/01/c...
corporateeurope.org
Conflict of Interest Exposed in Conservative Push to Defund NGOs
As the right-of-centre attacks on EU funding to NGOs intensifies, new findings expose a glaring conflict of interest involving Member of European Parliament Monika Hohlmeier (EPP). This casts serious ...
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
In Belgium, workers can earn €0.28 per kilometre of their cycle commute. On average, people cycling to work in 2024 earned around €460 net per year. Easy money! www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1401...
brusselstimes.com
Belgian commutes pay off: Employees earn up to €810 for cycling to work
One in five people in Flanders commuted by bike and received compensation last year, but this figure is significantly lower in Brussels and Wallonia.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
On Wednesday the @europarl.europa.eu will debate an EU programme that helps fund NGOs. Lots of false things are being said about it. But it's a crucial way to level the playing field between rich corporate lobbies and citizens voices for just 0.006% of the EU's budget. www.ecf.com/en/news/ecf-...
ecf.com
ECF joins NGO call for EU to uphold public engagement in European democracy
ECF joins NGO call for EU to uphold public engagement in European democracy
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Fabian Küster @fabiankuester.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
In Bordeaux, car parking will get 30% more expensive for ICE cars in excess of 1.6 tons; 1.9 tons for hybrid/electric cars. Environmental and road safety reasons are among the reasons stated to introduce the surcharge. If you ask me, other cities should follow suit! www.bordeaux.fr/p158358/stat...
bordeaux.fr
Stationnement à Bordeaux : un nouveau tarif pour les véhicules les plus lourds
Publié le 17 janvier 2025 Plus polluants et plus imposants, les plus gros véhicules feront l'objet d'une tarification spéciale dès le 2 mai 2025 à Bordeaux...
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
Folks in #Brussels! My garage rock cover band are playing at an obscure youth club (no irony here). Just an excuse to party, really. Cheap night out. All welcome. @craigwinneker.bsky.social @eoghanwalshbxl.bsky.social (You’re the only ones I know who might consider attending for a second)
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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
I think we can change the world by having protected bike lanes and secure bike parking everywhere.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
For the last 2 years, I was a part of a great project with @nordregio.bsky.social bringing together Nordic municipalities and regions to share knowledge on cycling for transport. It's all distilled in this report - have a look, and let me know what you think. nordregio.org/publications...
nordregio.org
Debunking cycling myths | Nordregio
This publication is a culmination of the challenges, lessons learned, and good practices of cycling in the capital cities and regions of the Nordic countries.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Brussels’ first major snow storm today. I can’t tell if the dogs are pleased, pissed or annoyed.
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Reposted by Philip Amaral
Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Myths and outright nonsense about heat pumps continue to get spread through traditional and social media. Read my comprehensive heat pump myth buster for @carbonbrief.org here: www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-18...
carbonbrief.org
Factcheck: 18 misleading myths about heat pumps - Carbon Brief
Heat pumps are an alternative to gas boilers and wood stoves for indoor heating. They...
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 27/12/2024
European Cyclists' Federation has 2 jobs and 1 internship open. If you're looking for a new start in 2025, these may be for you. - Communications & Media Relations Manager - Policy & Projects Coordinator - GIS/Data Intern Thanks for spreading the word! www.ecf.com/en/about-us/...
ecf.com
Vacancies & tenders
Please keep an eye on this page and our social media channels for future openings.
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
📢 We got two new job vacancies open at European Cyclists’ Federation. 🚲 Policy & Projects Coordinator 🚲 GIS/Data intern Both roles will work on a groundbreaking new project to quantify & visualise cross border cycling infrastructure in Europe. Read more on www.ecf.com. Share and apply!
ecf.com
ECF
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
This is an issue which many European cities and city networks are raising the alarm with EU institutions in Brussels. Bigger cars and trucks are taking more finite public space, damaging street infrastructure, and they more dangerous for people outside the vehicle.
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Katja Diehl @katjadiehl.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
New cars in Europe are getting 1 cm wider every two years. T&E says the trend will continue due to the rising sales of SUVs unless lawmakers take action. 50 % of new cars sold are already too wide for the minimum on-street parking space in many countries. www.greencarcongress.com/2024/01/2024...
greencarcongress.com
New cars in Europe are getting 1 cm wider every two years
New cars in Europe are getting 1 cm wider every two years, on average, according to research by environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). T&E says the trend will continue due to the rising sale...
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
My kids are responsible for #1 and #4 on this list. But basically it’s a reflection of the sounds in our house 😆 open.spotify.com/wrapped/shar...
open.spotify.com
My 2024 Wrapped – get yours
2024 Wrapped
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Philip Amaral @philipamaral.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Cargo load of dog food. One for @americanfietser.com 😁 Dogs are hungry 🐶🦴
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Elle @biknmusicmama.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Everyone following the women on bikes starter pack? go.bsky.app/FvouhGQ Thankful for women, bicycles and route planning designed around trip chaining today!!
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