Global competition will support 10 cities to design and deliver transformative cycling infrastructure
June 3, 2026 — On World Bicycle Day, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) opened the application process for the next round of the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI), a program helping cities around the world rethink their streets through safer, more connected cycling infrastructure.
Launched in 2022, the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure has helped 10 cities deliver more than 200 miles of protected cycling infrastructure and has prevented an estimated 8,000 road crashes. Building on this success, the new round invites cities worldwide to apply for a two-phase program designed to accelerate the planning and implementation of world-class cycling projects.
Announced at Bloomberg CityLab 2026 in April, the next round of BICI will kick off with a global competition where cities propose transformative cycling projects to redesign their streets for people. Twenty-five cities will be selected to participate in GDCI’s intensive capacity-building program, which will provide expert guidance, tools, and training to strengthen their proposals. After the initial round, 10 cities will advance to the second phase, where they will each receive $400,000 in funding and hands-on support from GDCI to bring their vision to life.
“BICI is showing cities around the world that bike lanes are essential infrastructure,” said Janette Sadik-Khan, GDCI board chair and Principal, Bloomberg Associates, the pro bono consultancy for cities at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “With more than 200 miles of new protected cycling infrastructure already in the ground, BICI’s next round will inspire more city leaders to turn bold plans into safer streets, stronger networks, and better transportation choices for millions of city residents.”
“Cities thrive when people have safe, reliable, and sustainable ways to move,” said Skye Duncan, Executive Director of GDCI. “Through the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure, we’re seeing what’s possible when cities reimagine their streets to prioritize people over cars. This next round is an opportunity for even more cities to lead—demonstrating how high-quality cycling infrastructure can improve safety, expand access, and transform urban life.”
BICI is part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, which focuses on five key areas to improve road safety and save lives: strengthening legislation; enhancing data collection; changing road user behavior; improving road infrastructure; and upgrading vehicle safety.
“Road crashes and traffic injuries are preventable, and cities have the power to design streets that save lives and connect communities,” said Kelly Larson, who leads injury prevention programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “The first round of BICI showed what’s possible when cities pair bold leadership with proven design support: they can create safer streets and better cycling networks. This next phase will help even more cities turn ambitious ideas into action — creating streets where cycling is safe, accessible, and part of everyday urban life.”
The Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure seeks bold, forward-thinking proposals from cities ready to:
- Design streets that allow people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to cycle
- Dramatically reimagine infrastructure to reclaim and repurpose existing space dedicated to private vehicles
- Bring world-class cycling infrastructure to new regions
- Demonstrate clear vision and political dedication to improving and expanding cycling networks in partnership with the community and the Initiative
- Demonstrate safety improvements and community acceptance through project engagement and evaluation
Applications will be accepted through September 14. City leaders interested in applying can learn more here.
