EPBD: New Chapter in Supporting Active Transportation

The members of the Active2Public Transport project welcome a new EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) approved on April 12, 2024. Member states will have a two-year window to integrate this directive into their national legislation, after which the new regulations will come into effect. 

Provisions of the directive substantially expand opportunities not only for bicycle parking in residential buildings but also at railway stations, especially where they are connected to commercial zones.
The EPBD introduces several key provisions aimed at promoting active transportation, particularly cycling, by requiring adequate infrastructure in buildings:

1. For new residential buildings and those undergoing major renovation with more than three car parking spaces: At least two bicycle parking spaces for every residential building unit. A legally non-binding recital stipulates that the rule of two bicycle parking spaces per residential unit should also apply to buildings without car parking.

2. For new non-residential buildings and those undergoing major renovation with more than five car parking spaces: Bicycle parking spaces represent at least 15% of the average or 10% of the total user capacity of the building. Space for bicycles with larger dimensions than standard bicycles, such as cargo bikes, should also be considered.

3. For existing non-residential buildings with more than twenty car parking spaces: Bicycle parking spaces represent at least 15% of the average or 10% of the total user capacity of the building. Again, space for bicycles with larger dimensions than standard bicycles should be provided. These provisions for existing non-residential buildings must be applied by January 1, 2027.

4. For residential and non-residential buildings, specific requirements regarding charging infrastructure for all types of electric vehicles, including electric and bicycles, will become effective.

While the EPBD sets quantitative standards for bicycle parking, it also mandates EU member states to offer technical assistance to building owners and tenants seeking to install recharging points and bicycle parking spaces. This directive effectively encourages member states to supplement EU-mandated standards with national qualitative norms for bicycle parking. Similar to other EU directives, the implementation of the EPBD will depend on how individual member states integrate its provisions into their national regulations.
Therefore, partners of the A2PT project urge stakeholders to monitor the situation in their respective countries and work together to overcome the existing challenges that have hindered widespread cycling adoption, particularly the lack of sufficient bicycle parking facilities.

See the entire directive at EUR-Lex.