Canada s Capital Region Delegation to the Velo-City Global 2010 Conference Report of Findings from Visits, Meetings & Presentations In Amsterdam-Den Haag, Utrecht, Berlin & Copenhagen
The Itinerary Copenhagen Amsterdam Berlin Den Haag Utrecht
Outline Why did we make this visit? What did we see and hear? What did we learn?
Why did we make this visit?
The Objective of this Visit To learn from the experience of cities in three European countries that have made a significant transition toward cycling as a favoured transportation mode. (Netherlands, Germany, Denmark)
Velo-City Global 2010 Conference Participated at the Velo-City Global 2010 conference in Copenhagen, June 22-25, 2010 More than 1100 delegates (First edition, held in Bremen, Germany, attracted 300 participants, in 1990) Delegates from 60 countries this year Ottawa-Gatineau: thirteen delegates in Copenhagen 31 Canadian delegates
Copenhagen Velo-City Global Conference (Building)
What did we see and hear?
Combining Cycling and Public Transport
40 35 Population and Cycling Modal Share 33% 36% 30 25 20 28% 17% 15 10 5 0 757,000 482,000 300,000 10% Amsterdam Den haag Utrecht Berlin Copenhagen Ottawa- Gatineau 3,400,000 600,000 2% 1,200,000
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Cycling Capital
Amsterdam Road Safety and Bicycle Infrastructure Bicycle lanes separated from other traffic
Amsterdam Bicycle Parking
Amsterdam Bicycle Parking
Amsterdam Bicycle Parking
Amsterdam Cycling in the City
Den Haag
Den Haag Cycling Goals Currently: 17% of all trips is by bike (28% for trips under 7.5 km) Goals: 2020 : 30%; 2030 : 50% Action Plan : Provide better routes Provide better bike parking Combine with public transit Promote benefits (healthy lifestyle)
Den Haag Bicycle Network
Den Haag Star Routes
Den Haag Bicycle Path
Den Haag Bicycle Parking at School
Den Haag Bicycle Parking
Den Haag Bicycle Path on a Pedestrian Mall
Utrecht
Utrecht Cycling in the City
Utrecht Cycling in the City
Utrecht Cargo Bike
Berlin
Berlin Cycling Strategy Expanding cycling network 12 bicycle routes from the center to the suburbs 8 circular routes Bicycle paths/lanes/shared bus lanes / non-exclusive bicycle lanes/ bicycle priority streets Creation of traffic calmed zones that favour the bicycle Four supra regional long distance routes pass through Berlin
Berlin Bicycle Path to Potsdamer Platz
Copenhagen
Copenhagen Bicycle Network
Copenhagen Measures to Increase the Use of Bicycles Planning for cyclists Road safety Link bicycles and public transit Promotion Training Bike sharing Bicycle parking Bicycle paths maintenance
Copenhagen and Amsterdam Modal Share 33% 36% 23% 7% 1% 2008 Gehl 2006 City of Amsterdam
Copenhagen and Amsterdam Bicycle Path Profiles Copenhagen Amsterdam Network Dominant characteristic of bicycle paths Path widths Intersections Recreational paths 340 km (existing) 400km (ultimate) Raised bicycle path adjacent to car lanes 2.0 m to 2.5 m ( 3 m promoted on busiest routes) Blue intersection markings (bicycle path turn into bicycle lane still working at minimizing bicycle/car conflicts) 22 green routes planned (41 km of 110 km networks completed) 400km (existing) 450km (ultimate) Separate bicycle paths 1.8m to 2.0m ( 2.5 m seen as optimal) Priority accorded to cyclists at intersections n/a
Copenhagen Bicycle Path
Copenhagen Bicycle Path Adjacent to the Palace
Copenhagen Winter Cycling
Copenhagen Cargo Bike
Copenhagen Green Route
Copenhagen Cycling Bridge
Copenhagen Cycling Counter
Copenhagen Bicycle Parking
Copenhagen Cyclist Support
Copenhagen Cycling in the City
Copenhagen Cycling in the City
What did we Learn?
Answers to Our Questions Strengths for a transition towards cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation Cycling tradition High level of bicycle ownership Multi-purpose use of bicycles Mixed uses across the city Barriers Safety and security concerns Lack of a common vision for the region Lack of investments Lack of technical knowledge
Answers to Our Questions Actions to make cycling more attractive Priority corridors Multi-modal approach Bicycle parking Public education
Advantages and Benefits of Cycling for Individuals Fast Easy Economical Healthy Environmentally responsible
Advantages and Benefits of Cycling for Society It improves quality of life It contributes to making the city more accessible It requires far less investment than either motor vehicles or public transit It is an efficient use of public space It is a local solution for congestion and pollution problems that all cities face
Advantages and Benefits of Cycling Health Benefits of Riding a Bicycle 30 minutes per day There is an increase in life-expectancy of more than 5 years There is an expectation of more years without major health problems There is an expectation of a better quality of life and improved overall health
Other Benefits of Delegation s Visit Establishment of a shared bicycle vision Raises the possibility of networking and partnerships opportunities Allows for the positioning of Canada s Capital Region as a cycling destination The delegation witnessed the potential of various cycling approaches
Canada s Capital Region (CCR) Cycling Action Plan Integrated cycling map Ottawa/Gatineau/NCC cycling work group CCR Bike sharing program Sustainable Mobility Summit of November 2010 Coordination Commuter Challenge 2011 Ongoing implementation of cycling network, including pilot projects Gehl Architects cycling vision
Thank You
Questions?