Icelandic Cyclists' Federation represents the interests of all cyclists in Iceland.
Our official member organizations include two of the most active cycling clubs in Iceland, The Icelandic mountainbike club and The Cycling Club of Reykjavik.
Organization
The Icelandic Cyclists' Federation was established as an umbrella organisation for touring, commuting and sports cyclists in 1995, in cooperation with a national body for non-competitive sports (Íþróttir fyrir alla), under the Icelandic Sports Association. The official name is Landssamtök hjólreiðamanna (in Icelandic), abbreviated LHM.
Board members of the clubs under the umbrella have often had representatives in the board of LHM. In addition the communication on the board mailinglist is quite informal and open to those specially interested. Close informal and friendly ties facilitate cooperation in several fields.
Short Summary
Much of the activity has been concentrated in the area surrounding Reykjavik - the capital. This area harbours more than 50% of the population of Iceland.
The most visible work is carried out in the two clubs:
Íslenski Fjallahjólaklúbburinn ÍFHK - ( http://www.fjallahjolaklubburinn.is ) was originally formed as a touring club, established 1989. Nowadays it functions also as a club for utility cyclists, like those that cycle to work or for other trasnport. In Iceland touring often means some sort of mountainbiking, which is reflected in the name. They arrange weekly evening trips on Tuesdays in Reykjavík and vicinity all in summer. The trips are open to all, free of charge. ÍFHK also arranges weekend trips of varying difficulty, and several courses are held on bicycle touring and bicycle maintenance and repair. Every first and third Thursday of the month the club-house is open from 20:00, and during summer additional Thursdays. Visitors touring Iceland on bikes welcome.
Hjólreiðafélag Reykjavíkur HFR ( http://www.hfr.is ) - is a club for sports-cyclists, first established (1924). HFR have regular training sessions all year. They arrange several competitions, both on tarmac and on gravel/off-road. HFR members have competed internationally, like in the small nations championships. HFR ensured that the Cycling committee of the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland was established, and they oversee national championships.
Example activities
Much of the work on commuting and the political work earlier carried out by ÍFHK has been carried out by the umbrella, LHM, during the latter years. We have written articles in newspapers, asked questions at public meetings, and had direct contact with public officials. The attempt to make helmets compulsory for adult cyclists appears to have been halted because of our arguments and efforts, through representation in the national road traffic board. Lately we have had a fruitful cooperation with the Public Health Institute of Iceland (Lýðheilsustöð),National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland and the Agenda 21 program of Reykjavik City. All three organisations have been taking part in arranging the national Cycle to work campaign since it was started in the autumn of 2003, having been initiated by the Icelandic Sports and Olympic Committee. In addition we have helped make the cycling day of the European Mobility week (16-22th September each year) the most active of the week.
Strategy and vision
- Work to increase and strengthen bicycling in Iceland. The Federation should work to spread bicycling to a wider public as a competitive sport, a family-friendly non-competitive sports activity, a healthy way of life and a means of transport.
- Cooperate in Iceland with individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations and companies.
- LHM has one representative among roughly 22 in the national board of traffic safety, which meets about ten times a year. The board acts as a consultative organ for the Icelandic authorities in the area of traffic, and first and foremost regarding the dangers of traffic.
- LHM has a loose affiliation with ÍSÍ, the Icelandic Sports- and Olympic Organisation, but the umbrella organisation of competitive cyclists is a regular member.
- LHM seeks to cooperate internationally, especially with other cyclist advocacy organisations.
- LHM is a member of the European Cyclists' Federation.
Contact :
email:
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phone: +354 6904801
snail-mail :
Landssamtök hjólreiðamanna
- Icelandic Cyclists' Fed.
Engjavegur 6
IS-104 Reykjavik
ICELAND - EUROPE
