ARTICLE FROM THE BOOK:
Cyclists & Cycling Around the World – Creating Liveable
andBikeable
CitiesCyclists& Cycling
Aroundthe World
Edited by Juan Carlos Dextre, Mike Hughes & Lotte Bech
Published by Fondo Editorial, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2013
ISBN: 978-612-4146-55-8

3. Cycle InfrastructureT

his chapter contains three articles dealing with various aspects of cycle infrastructure.
They describe in detail various experiences of the planning process, the forming ofa cycle infrastructure and the significance of citizen involvement in the planning.
There are no universal solutions but this chapter can serve as an inspiration as to how topromote cycling by creating safe and attractive facilities for cyclists, both in cities that are
just about to take the first steps as well as those which already have a long tradition for
cycle infrastructure behind them.
In his article Planning a cycling infrastructure, Niels Jensen describes the 100-year longdevelopment of Copenhagen’s cycle infrastructure right up to the present day, when thecity’s brand is ”Copenhagen - City of Cyclists”. Niels takes a historical approach, telling thereader about the car boom which hit Copenhagen in the late 60s and made cyclists thelosers for decades. Huge demonstrations by cyclists around 1980, together with the oilcrisis created the political will to revitalise cycling in Denmark. Niels goes on to describe
how the interrelation between politicians, municipal planners and the Danish Cyclists’Federation has influenced the development of cycle strategies and plans for cycle tracks.
The design of cycle tracks and intersections and road standards for cycling infrastructure
is touched on, as well as the need to acquire a ‘critical mass’ of cyclists. Niels goes on
to recount how ambitious goals for modal share in commuting have been developed
and followed up by “The Bicycle Account,” which presents citizens’ views on cycling
conditions and key figures on infrastructure and accidents. The political ambition is that
Copenhagen should aim at being the world’s best city for cyclists.
In his article The first step in developing a cycle infrastructure, Virginio Moreno tells
his readers about the choice of Seville to go by bike. The development of cycling
infrastructure in Seville has taken place over a very short period, from the time when thefirst recreational cycle track was laid in 1995 until urban bikeways were built during theperiod 2006-2010. Seville is a wonderful example of how the bicycle can be introduced
as a serious means of transport and a change of mobility behavior can be stimulated
in the public provided there are goal-directed initiatives in the right direction. Virginio
describes how the building of urban bikeways at the same time as a new large-scale
system of public bikes was being introduced, together with the involvement of citizen in125

the process, have had a significant influence in the spectacular rise in the use of bicycles
in Seville. The guidelines for a network of urban bikeways with a total length of 77 km
covering the city were laid down in a General Plan of Urban Planning and financial
resources allocated for a complete implementation in less than 12 months. Today, thetotal length of the bikeway network has reached 142 km. The design of the cycle network
is based on the connectivity of major facilities and neighbourhoods.
In his article Cycle route networks, Tony Russell describe how Sustrans creates popularroutes through public involvement. Tony tells the story of the development of the National
Cycle Network (NCN) in the UK since1995 up until today, when it is over 21,000 km long.
He takes a fascinating look at the role public participation has played in developing cycle
routes in England. One of the main goals became to encourage families and children
to take up cycling. Guidelines were developed with this in mind. Another inspirational
move to popularise cycling was to enable works of art to be displayed along the routes,
thereby generating an insight into a feeling of local identity and ownership among localcommunities. The aim has been to have local authorities build onto the National Cycle
Network and so make it into a truly integrated network. A range of strategies has beendeveloped to fit different scenarios. The author recounts how former railway routes inparticular provide valuable space for biodiversity to flourish. Sustrans set up a programmeof volunteer rangers who undertake practical activities to help to maintain and increaseusage of the Network and to encourage the community to walk and cycle more.

126