Quercus calls for national plan on shared bicycles and transport

On European Car Free Day, environmental association Quercus proposed ten measures to boost cycling in Portugal, including a National Plan for Public Bicycle Systems and lower VAT on bicycle purchases. It called for a nationwide, safe and continuous cycle lane network linking bike-sharing systems, schools, train stations, bus terminals and job hubs, plus fiscal incentives for companies compensating employees' bike commutes and insurance cover for cycling accidents on the way to work. Quercus also wants mandatory interconnection between municipal bike-sharing operators and fare integration with public transport, citing EU research on the economic, health and environmental benefits of shared bicycles.