Cycling, Connection, and Community: Mobycon at Velo-city 2026 Rimini

Connections, Conversations, and Chocolate at Booth 53

This year, we shared a booth with Telraam. The booth quickly became a hub for conversations about cycling and mobility data. Visitors stopped by to learn more about our work, exchange experiences from their own cities, and of course, enjoy some chocolates. While we brought Dutch Mobycon chocolates, Telraam arrived with Belgian chocolate. It’s safe to say there was plenty of chocolate to fuel the conversations throughout the week!

A Conference Close to Home

For Giorgia, attending Velo-city in Italy carried a special significance.

As an Italian living in the Netherlands, she was excited to experience the conference in her home country and reconnect with the cycling conversations taking place there.

“It was inspiring to see and hear so many people in Italy who are highly motivated to transform a system that prioritises cars into one that is safe, accessible to everyone, liveable and, of course, cycle-friendly.”

Throughout the week, a strong sense of momentum was visible everywhere. Cities, advocates, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners came together not only to discuss cycling, but to explore how active mobility can help create healthier, more equitable, and more resilient communities.

Women in Cycling

Women in Cycling continued to be a major source of inspiration throughout Velo-city 2026.

Dagmar contributed to discussions on advancing women’s representation in the cycling sector and participated in a fireside chat exploring cycling during pregnancy. The session challenged common misconceptions and highlighted the importance of designing cities and mobility systems that support people throughout all stages of life.

The momentum continued well into the evening. On Tuesday night, Mobycon hosted the now-traditional networking drinks event at a beachside venue in Rimini. Registrations exceeded expectations, with around 150 participants attending. It was a wonderful evening full of new conversations, friendships, and collaborations.

For Dagmar, seeing the event grow into one of the conference’s most popular networking opportunities was a proud moment and evidence of how far the Women in Cycling network has come.

The Fatbike Debate

One of our most interactive contributions to the conference was the session Fatbikes in Focus: A Town Hall Debate on Safety and Regulation. Moderated by Dagmar and featuring Anna Wyner as one of the speakers, the session invited participants into the fictional city of “Rimitopia,” where city council members had to decide whether fatbikes should be regulated, restricted, or banned. Delegates actively participated in debates, questioned experts, considered multiple perspectives, and ultimately voted on the future of fatbikes in their fictional city.

The lively discussions revealed just how complex mobility challenges can be. Questions around safety, accessibility, regulation, public perception, and infrastructure rarely have straightforward answers. By giving participants a direct role in the decision-making process, the session encouraged deeper engagement and meaningful dialogue.

Climate Resilience and the Future of Cycling

Anna also took the stage in a session exploring cycling infrastructure and network solutions for hot and humid climates. The topic could not be more relevant. As cities around the world face rising temperatures and increasingly extreme weather conditions, planners must ensure cycling remains a viable, comfortable, and attractive transportation option.

Anna shared approaches for designing climate-resilient cycling networks. This included the use of shade, thoughtful urban design, and infrastructure strategies that help people continue cycling even during challenging environmental conditions. The session highlighted an important reality: cycling is not only part of the climate solution through reducing emissions, it also plays a role in helping cities adapt to a changing climate.

The Bike Parade

No Velo-city experience would be complete without the traditional bike parade.

Hundreds of conference attendees joined local residents and authorities for a ten-kilometre ride through Rimini. The route passed through beautiful neighbourhoods and showcased the city from the perspective that Velo-city participants know best: on a bicycle.

The atmosphere was festive and energetic, with enthusiastic support from local residents and assistance from the police along the route. For many participants, the parade served as a powerful reminder of why they do this work in the first place.

Reflecting on Velo-city 2026

Giorgia Berrevoets

For Giorgia, Velo-city was both professionally inspiring and personally meaningful.

Returning to Italy for one of the cycling sector’s largest international gatherings allowed her to witness firsthand the growing movement towards safer, more liveable cities. The conference’s focus on evidence-based decision making, combined with countless encounters with passionate people, left her feeling optimistic about the future.

And perhaps her favourite discovery?

“I learnt that, in Italian, a regular bicycle is called a bicicletta muscolare (‘muscle-powered bicycle’). That makes me proud to know that, somewhere—even if they’re well hidden—I do have a few muscles after all.”

Dagmar Köhler

“Attending Velo-city 2026 in Rimini was once again a real highlight for me, and I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an inspiring community.”

Dagmar spent the week engaging with people committed to making cycling more accessible and inclusive. Beyond the formal programme, she enjoyed countless conversations with peers, cycling through Rimini’s streets, and even dancing through warm summer evenings.

“I returned home with fresh ideas, renewed confidence in interactive formats, and a deep appreciation for how well known and valued our work has become. Experiences like these motivate me to keep learning, experimenting, and contributing to our cycling community.”

Anna Wyner

For Anna, the week reinforced the importance of international knowledge exchange. Whether discussing fatbikes, climate adaptation, or the future of active transportation, Velo-city brought together practitioners from vastly different contexts who share a common goal: creating cities that work better for people.

Presenting on climate-resilient cycling and participating in discussions around emerging mobility issues provided valuable opportunities to share Dutch experience while learning from solutions being developed across the globe.

Looking Ahead

Velo-city 2026 reminded us once again of the power of community, collaboration, and bold ideas.

Whether discussing climate resilience, debating fatbike regulations, strengthening international networks, or celebrating together on the bike parade, the conference reinforced an important message: cycling is about much more than transportation. It is about creating cities where people can live, work, connect, and thrive.

The team left Rimini inspired by the people we met, the ideas we heard, and the progress being made around the world.

Missed us at the conference? Contact us to continue the conversation, ask questions, or find out how Mobycon can help make your community more liveable, accessible, and cycle-friendly.