Kyiv Cyclists’ Association (AVK) is a non-profit, non-partisan member organization that works to strengthen the voice of current and potential cyclists and to promote cycling as a sustainable, safe and fun urban transportation. AVK works mostly in Kyiv but we actively cooperate with NGOs, cycling activists and city councils in other Ukrainian cities as well as cycling advocates in wider Europe.
Main areas of work:
- advocacy in Kyiv (control over street reconstructions, maintenance of existing cycling infrastructure, development of cycling plans for Kyiv districts etc)
- advocacy at the national level (revision of cycling-related legislation, capacity-building in city councils and local NGOs on cycling, sharing knowledge and best practices on infrastructure development and promotion of cycling)
- building public demand for urban cycling (Bike Mentor Program, annual cycling-friendly employer award, bicycle rides and events in Kyiv and support in other cities)
Structure of the organization:
- 315 members (January 2015),
- Board (Head of the Board + 4 Board Members)
- 4 staff members: AVK Coordinator, National Policy Coordinator, Media Coordinator and Office Assistant
- over 20 active volunteers
Main projects:
- Annual Veloforum Conference
- European Mobility Week in Kyiv
- Cycling-Friendly Employer Award
- Bike Mentor Program
- Cycling parades
Main achievements:
- AVK activists developed Kyiv Cycling Program 2009-2012 that was approved by the City Council in 2008.
- In 2011 AVK initiated START project – development of coherent cycling infrastructure in a pilot neighborhood of Kyiv. In 2013 we helped to establish a working group and to attract foreign expertise to develop the concept document that contains a map of cycling routes and promotion activities. The concept is pending approval of the city council.
- In 2011-2013 AVK was the main organizer of the annual International Veloforum Conference, raised representation and overall quality of the event. The conference became local VeloCity, Ukrainian cities are competing for hosting the event.
- First bike paths were constructed in Kyiv due to AVK’s persistence. They attracted attention of a wider audience to the problems of cycling infrastructure in the city.
- In 2012, AVK launched Ukrainian Centre for Cycling Expertise, an information hub accumulating all cycling-related documents and best practices useful for municipalities, traffic engineers and everyone interested in the promotion of cycling.
- In partnership with other organizations, AVK offers legal and moral support to cyclists injured in road accidents.
- In 2013, AVK has launched the first social advertising campaign in Kyiv to raise awareness about cycling. In 2014, we extended the campaign and mostly focused on driver’s behavior.
Major partners and donors:
- European Union
- European Cyclists’ Federation, www.ecf.com
- German Technical Cooperation (GIZ), www.giz.de/en/
- Heinrich Boell Foundation in Ukraine, www.ua.boell.org/uk
- Kyiv State City Administration, www.kievcity.gov.ua
- National Ecological Centre of Ukraine, www.necu.org.ua
Contacts:
Iryna Bondarenko
Executive Director
National Policy Coordinator
+38 (044) 500 89 36
+38 (097) 699 10 38
info {at} www.avk.org.ua
Ksenia Semenova
Coordinator in Kyiv
ksenia.semenova {at} www.avk.org.ua
+38 067 253 1843
04070 Kyiv, Illinska Street 12, office 313
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KyivCyclistsAssociation