Wheels of Progress: Jill Warren Reflects on 5 Years as CEO of the European Cycling Federation

Just over five years ago, Jill Warren left a very senior global corporate career and took a serious pay cut to follow her passion and become the CEO of one of the world's largest and most influential cycling advocacy organisations, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF)

She’s overseen some historic wins and helped to significantly grow the ECF, but now Jill has decided that it’s time to move on, having announced her intention to leave in July 2025.

In this interview we ask Jill to detail some of the ECF’s biggest wins, ongoing challenges and she encourages us all to “follow your why” when you’re looking to persuade others.

As you’ll soon discover if you listen to this interview, Jill is a highly articulate and insightful communicator. She’s also a true internationalist. An American who has lived many years in Europe and who could have given this interview just as well in Dutch, German or French. Luckily for us she was happy with English this time!

Relevant Links

Here is the ECF’s main website.

Here is a link to their most recent annual reports and other major reports.

If you fancy a European cycling holiday, this is their EuroVelo international cycling routes page.

Here is the European Declaration on Cycling made in 2024, that should unlock many policy and funding changes over future years.

 

In terms of funding for cycling infrastructure, Jill summarised:

🚲 €3.2 billon over seven years from the European Commission for direct funding of infrastructure to their 27 member countries.

🚲 €1.2 billion of co-funding with member countries.

🚲 €1.7 billion of one-off funding stemming from the Covid pandemic

🚲 Giving a sub total of €6.1 billion. This converts to US$7.2 billion, GB£5.12 billion and A$10.5 billion.

In addition to this is internal country, regional and city funding throughout Europe.

 

What’s Up?

Irene refers to this report, co-authored by Dr Merdith Glaser and Barbara Oliviera Soares about barriers to cycling in Amsterdam.

Irene also talks about a new UK travel survey showing very mixed and overall disappointing results for cycling activity trends there.

Phil refers to the City of Adelaide’s Integrated Transport Strategy, for which public comment closes on 25th May 2025.

Phil also talks about autonomous vehicles and in particular a report on Waypoint, the official blog of autonomous vehicle company Waymo, that reports up to 92% lower crash rates.

Finally, here’s an illustration of Gartner’s Hype Cycle that Phil refers to.

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