sign the petition here:
http://www.dviratis.lt/deklaracija
background info on the "Velomanija Vilnius 2009" here:
http://groups.google.lt/group/velomanijavilnius

Declaration
of the “Velomanija Vilnius 2009”
(commented version)
''A general introduction:
The "Declaration of the Velomanija Vilnius 2009" is the result of a workshop during the same named youth week in and around the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. It had around 30 participants from cyclists or traffic orientated organisations from Poland (Torun an Szczecin), Czech Republic (Prague) and Lithuania (Vilnius). There were as well single participants from Slovakia, Germany and Austria.
The declaration is a common work thus the background of the participants is quite different. It is probably the first time that such document shows a consensus making conclusions from our personal experiences as cyclists in cities of Central and Eastern Europe.
The order is not eventually, but it shows the priorities for which the participants voted.
Most of the points are very concrete requirements on bicycle infrastructure in the cities for the bicycle as a means of transport viewed from the position of the cyclist, some are more general statements, on which more details could be worked out .
Of cause we, the cyclists, tell our needs, but at the same time we ask ourselves what we as Non-governmental organisations can do about it, not relying on that somebody will solve our problems for us.
Keywords in the declaration are "effective" and "consequent": Many traffic solutions seem to us not thought through nor build to it s logical end, unfinished or half-made.''

Declaration	Comments
Vilnius, 29th of July 2009	.
The bicycle is a healthy, clean, fast, economic and modern means of transport. Bicycling is fun and a benefit to any European city, which wants to be an attractive place for living.	The introduction is about the changing image of the bicycle, as to some extend it already has changed. On the other hand also a more "real" image of the car should become overhand: that of an pollutant and resource eating machine.
We, the Velomanija Vilnius 2009, consider, that	.
1. Effective education can solve the most problems: The reality is better than you imagine;	Before all requirements on infrastructure we address to education: it is about the behaviour of participants in traffic, which shall understand, that they all together (not against each other) move in a common space. As cyclists´ organisations we can do some work in informing the public about the real situation and to some extend to teach them how to cycle in traffic. And finally it IS possible to go by bicycle: just loose fear and go! Cyclists do a lot on training which includes the careful behaviour of the cyclists themselves
2. Bicycle infrastructure in the city centre should be integrative, not segregative. This can be reached eg. by traffic calming, car free zones;	We as cyclists speak against the try to push the cyclists from the road on usually uncomfortable bicycle paths and against the hopeless attempt to make car speed in towns faster by dedicating more and more space for cars. Cities shall become a space where people meet. Cyclists are supporting a cooperative, not aggressive way of moving.
3. City bicycle roads should be build from asphalt;	All experienced cyclists are unsatisfied with the surface of the bicycle roads. bicycle roads shall be of highest quality and by surface certainly not worse than car roads. we demand cities in Central and Eastern Europe to follow the newest and best examples of bicycle road construction and not to repeat some old errors from Western Europe.
4. Bicycle roads should be continuous;	Many towns and cities started some bicycle road construction or "inherited" some bicycle paths from the Socialist times. However, the quality of these is not satisfying, there are not well renewed and they stay fragmentary leading "from nowhere to nowhere". We propose to stop the fragmentary planning of bicycle roads, but start to build routes as a whole. Cyclists – as users - can help to determinate the planning and building priorities.
5. People who cycle need safe bicycle parking;	Bicycle theft is a big problem. The lack of safe bicycle parking at home, work or anywhere in the city prevents people from buying a bicycle and from going by bicycle. Existing bicycle stands, e.g. In the city of Vilnius do not fulfill the requirements for safe bicycle parking so that it is not possible to lock the bicycle frame safely. New solutions can be used, such as guarded bicycle parking.
6. Good cycling infrastructure can exist only with a cooperation between local communities, authorities and non governmental organisations.	We consider that we can't do much alone. There is a triangle of ngos-state-communities: either the NGOs will work with the local communities by street action to change the minds of the people or they work together with city municipalities to tell the needs of the cyclists (that in fact what this declaration tells). The community can count on the NGO to help them in order to raise their quality of living (e.g. by protesting against car traffic), the municipalities shall not forget the opinion of their road users during the planning process. The cyclists organisations can play a key role in the communication between the local communities and city municipalities - if they are allowed to. This can be achieved through constant contacts e.g. via a bicycle commission.
Other issues to consider are	Smaller points from the discussion:
a centralised bicycle register,	A regional, national or even European bicycle register could be a more effective way of preventing and uncovering bicycle theft.
no kerbs on bicycle roads,	one of the most annoying facts on bicycle roads are any obstacles or holes, high side stones etc.
appropriate bicycle road marking	The lack of horizontal signing of the bicycle paths provokes conflicts between cyclist and pedestrians or car drivers and makes the orientation for the cyclists themselves more difficult.
and the possibility to take the bicycle on the public transport.	The bicycle is not an isolated mode of transport - the combination with city public transport and trains is positive for an ecological mobility culture.