Knowledge DCE Shares Insights at Ehime Summit Ahead of Velo-city 2027 3 November 2026 Cycling News On 24 October 2026, the Dutch Cycling Embassy facilitated the participation of Rob van der Bijl of RVDB Urban Planning, a member of its network of cycling experts, at a cycling summit in Imabari, Japan. Organised under the auspices of the prefectures of Ehime and Hiroshima, the event served as a prelude to the 2027 Velo-city Conference, which will take place in Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture. The summit brought together international experts to exchange experiences on cycling policy and explore the potential of cycling to shape the future of cities. Among the participants was Ehime Governor Tokihiro Nakamura, a prominent advocate for cycling and a driving force behind both the annual Shimanami cycling tour and Japan’s upcoming hosting of Velo-city. Following a keynote address by Laurianne Krid, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation, speakers presented case studies from around the world. Contributions included Kenneth Podziba on cycling policy in New York and Australian expert Peter McLean on the creation of a spectacular cycling ramp connecting to Sydney Harbour Bridge. Representing the Dutch Cycling Embassy, Rob van der Bijl presented a comparative case study examining cycling in the Netherlands and Japan. Despite their different approaches to cycling infrastructure, both countries have high levels of bicycle use and deeply rooted cycling cultures. Van der Bijl highlighted an intriguing contrast: while the Netherlands has invested extensively in dedicated cycling infrastructure, Japan has developed a strong cycling culture with comparatively little dedicated infrastructure. Given Japan’s position as the world’s third-largest cycling nation by average bicycle ownership, after the Netherlands and Denmark, this comparison offers valuable opportunities for mutual learning. The summit was followed on 25 October by the Shimanami cycling tour, which starts in Imabari and crosses a series of impressive bridges connecting islands in the Seto Inland Sea. For the event, the bridges were temporarily closed to motor vehicles, offering participants a memorable opportunity to experience the route by bicycle. Together, the summit and cycling tour provided a valuable platform for international exchange ahead of Velo-city 2027. The differences between Dutch and Japanese approaches raise important questions about how infrastructure, policy and cycling culture interact—and how each country can learn from the other’s experience. As preparations for Velo-city 2027 continue, the Dutch Cycling Embassy looks forward to contributing its network’s expertise to these international conversations, helping cities identify practical pathways towards more accessible, liveable and cycle-friendly communities.