In a historic move, the European Parliament and Council have jointly approved a groundbreaking standard mandating a minimum of two bicycle parking spaces per apartment in newly constructed and extensively renovated buildings. This transformative measure, integral to the broader initiative of curbing emissions and optimising energy use in the European Union, seeks to champion sustainable transportation alternatives.
With immediate effect, the new standard applies to all residential constructions and major renovations with more than three parking spaces. Ensuring easy access for residents, this mandate dictates a minimum of two dedicated bicycle parking spaces per building.
In the realm of non-residential buildings, the standard sets a groundbreaking precedent by stipulating that bicycle parking spaces must constitute at least 10% of the total building capacity for newly constructed structures. Importantly, these spaces must accommodate various bicycle types, including bulkier models like cargo bikes. The directive also stresses the necessity of integrating charging infrastructure for e-bikes within non-residential buildings.
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This represents the inaugural instance of a standardised requirement for bicycle parking spaces across all building types, establishing a significant milestone for sustainable urban development. Anticipated benefits include a diminished risk of bicycle theft, the encouragement of eco-friendly commuting practices, leading to reduced road congestion, and a subsequent decrease in CO2 emissions.
Complementary to the bicycle parking mandate, the directive introduces a comprehensive suite of measures aimed at bolstering the energy efficiency of buildings. The overarching objective is to achieve a 16% reduction in the average primary energy consumption of residential buildings across EU Member States by 2030.
Among the outlined measures is the prohibition of subsidies for the installation of self-contained fossil fuel boilers starting January 1, 2025. Additionally, Member States are obligated to ensure that new buildings are designed to incorporate photovoltaic or solar thermal installations on their roofs, contributing to the widespread adoption of sustainable and renewable energy sources.
