Knowledge Study visit: Agglomeration Rheintal 25 June 2024 Cycling News Good planning and cooperation does not stop at borders: the Vorarlberg and St.Gallen Rhine Valley are a perfect example, with their Agglomeration Rheintal programme – and on 31st May, the Dutch Cycling Embassy had the opportunity to contribute to this international cooperation programme by sharing Dutch knowledge and experience. The Association Agglomeration Rheintal acts as a platform for cross-border cooperation, collaborative planning and projects between Switzerland and Austria. A delegation consisting of mayors from the region, municipal presidents, members of public authorities and other individuals came to the Netherlands for a study visit. They spent the afternoon of 31st of May with the Dutch Cycling Embassy and experts from the DCE network. As a special guest, the Ambassador of Switzerland to the Netherlands, H.E. Corinne Cicéron Bühler, joined the study visit programme. The afternoon started with a cycle tour from Utrecht to Houten. André Pettinga from Cyclemotions and Sjors van Duren from Royal HaskoningDHV each led a group, as well as Benjamin Schaipp, who recently joined the DCE network with his consultancy FietsMeister. The fourth group was guided by André Botermans from the municipality of Houten, who also welcomed the group in the municipal administration office of Houten upon arrival. Here, the group analysed the experience of cycling before Emma Stubbe, project coordinator at the DCE, gave an introductory presentation to cycling culture and developments in the Netherlands. This was followed with presentations by Sjors and Benjamin, who went into detail on the topics of network and infrastructure planning. The concluding round of discussion and comments reflected the commitment of the participants, with valuable input from the Ambassador too. We hope that the inspiration and insights gathered will help the canton of St.Gallen, the federal state of Vorarlberg and the 23 municipalities continue their successful cross-border cooperation in the Rhine Valley, and make it a healthy, liveable and cycle-friendly region.