Guide for Implementing Urban Cycling: Overcoming Obstacles

Guide for Implementing Urban Cycling: Overcoming Obstacles

Creating a bike-friendly urban jungle isn't a walk in the park. Here's a lowdown on the obstacles you'll face, straight from the cycling community themselves.

While each city varies, there are common hurdles that even the most bike-friendly metropolises had to tackle. With these challenges understood, cities can start pedaling towards a better cycling future.

Challenge (1): Which Came First? The City or the Cyclist?

If fewer people bike, cities might see no need for cycling infrastructure. The catch? The lack of infrastructure might be the reason why fewer people bike. As Steward Midwinter, a cycling advocate for Bike Calgary puts it, "it's tough to predict the demand for a bridge by counting the number of swimmers in the river."

The initial challenge is to recognize the "chicken and egg" predicament and embrace the mindset of "build it and they will come."

Challenge (2): Separation or Coexistence?

Once a city starts building cycling infrastructure, the next challenge is selecting the type.

"That's a big, philosophical discussion," says Lucas Harms, Managing Director at the Dutch Cycling Embassy. "Should you focus on separate cycling infrastructure, or should cycling be part of the general infrastructure?"

In an "independent" approach, cycling obtains a dedicated network, often found in protected bike lanes. In an "integrated" approach, cyclists are viewed as equal road users, utilizing existing infrastructure through traffic calming measures and shared spaces.

Though distinct, cities often employ a combination of both. For example, nearly 80% of all urban roads in the Netherlands have traffic calming measures, with only major busy roads featuring separated lanes. So, it might remain more of a philosophical rather than practical debate.

Challenge (3): Room to Pedal?

Cycle routes, bike parking, and bike highways demand space. Finding room in dense city centers can be a challenge, especially when viewed as stealing from cars or compressing sidewalks.

Despite the common objection, bicycles take up minimal room. Swapping on-street parking for cycle routes is often sufficient: Seville replaced 5,000 car parking spots with 80km of bike routes.

The real challenge is political will to effect change. Ursula Wyss, the politician spearheading Bern's Velo Offensive, notes, "there's no such thing as 'we have no space for a bike infrastructure'. It's just a matter of changing perspectives and reallocating existing space."

Challenge (4): From Cyclist to Pedal-Goer

"Build and they will come" isn't the whole story. As Lucas Harms points out, "the challenge is to transform cycling from a sporting activity for middle-aged men in spandex to a reliable transport mode for all ages and abilities."

Campaigns are required to break stereotypes. Since barriers to cycling differ among demographics—women usually emphasize safety, while commuters fear time loss—campaigns need to be customized. The challenge lies in delivering targeted and effective messages that emphasize anybody can cycle.

Challenge (5): Feeling Comfortable vs. Statistical Safety

Although the probability of an accident from dooring (cycling into an opening car door) is statistically higher than being hit by moving traffic, people feel safer cycling next to parked cars.

This is the difference between objective and subjective safety—feeling safe isn't always synonymous with being safe. Isabell Eberlein, cycling expert for Velokonzept, says, "most rules and regulations only recognize objective safety, but subjective safety is crucial—if you ask vulnerable groups why they don't bike, it's always a matter of subjective safety."

A challenge for cycling infrastructure is to strike the right balance between designs that are objectively safe while being perceived as safe too. Balancing statistics and feelings can be tricky, especially since cycling becomes safer as more people bike.

Challenge (6): Persistent Promotion

"Most cities treat cycling campaigns like a checklist item: tick, done," says Mario Gualdi, coordinator of CIVITAS Handshake. "Cycling campaigns aren't a one-time event; it's a continuous undertaking where messages to each target group have to be sustained."

While immediate results won't be seen, sustained campaign efforts will eventually bear fruit.

Challenge (7): Securing Funds

Cycling campaigns and infrastructure come with a price tag. In many cases, cycling infrastructure is not seen as essential, like car infrastructure, making it difficult for governments to budge on the budget for cycling.

What's less well-known is that cycling provides an economic return: for each euro invested in cycling, there's an economic gain of 68 cents, compared to cars costing society 37 cents per kilometre traveled. The challenge is to share this knowledge with policymakers.

Challenge (8): Stubborn Opponents

Anti-cycling infrastructure voices will surface in any city. Some fear losing parking spots, while others worry about losing dedicated lanes or facing gentrification. Residents may be uneasy about change, while municipalities might consider cycling infrastructure superfluous.

Addressing opponents' concerns without fueling animosity towards cycling infrastructure is a delicate task. As Simon Munk from the London Cycling Campaign says, "schemes often cause anger, upset, chaos, and confusion, but once they've gone through an adjustment period, things settle down. Engage and be reasonable."

Overcoming opposition is crucial for cycling infrastructure, rather than allowing it to become a barrier.

Challenge (9): Bold Policymakers

Several cities, such as Seville, Bogotá, Oulu, and Bern, owe their bike-friendly infrastructure to a few key political figures willing to champion cycling. Timo Perälä, President of the Winter Cycling Federation, states, "when a leader is willing to make things happen, that kind of attitude is priceless." He cautions, though, "the role requires a lot of strong leadership, and if you choose that path, you're going to get a lot of flak."

Finding leaders courageous enough to push for cycling is a significant challenge.

The Road Forward ...

The journey to a bike-friendly city might not be smooth sailing, but it's a ride worth taking. Now that you're familiar with these cycling hurdles, join us in the next article, 'Getting Rolling,' where we'll help you navigate the next steps and shift gears.

Enrichment Data:

Balancing separate and integrated cycling infrastructure in urban planning involves a thoughtful approach to ensure that cycling facilities are both safe and accessible for all users while also being integrated with other transportation modes. Here are some strategies to achieve this balance:

Balancing Separate Cycling Infrastructure

Separate Cycling Infrastructure

• Protected Bike Lanes: Implementing protected bike lanes (also known as separated bike lanes) provides a safe and comfortable space for cyclists, especially on busy streets. These lanes are physically separated from motor traffic, often using barriers or bollards, which enhances safety for cyclists of all ages and abilities[4].
• Cycling Paths and Trails: Designing dedicated cycling paths and trails can offer cyclists a safe and enjoyable route, often away from heavy traffic, which can be particularly appealing for recreational cyclists or those preferring a more relaxed pace.

Integrating Cycling Infrastructure with Other Modes

Integration Strategies

• Public Transport Integration: Ensure that cycling infrastructure intersects smoothly with public transportation systems. This includes convenient bike parking near transit hubs and the integration of bike-share systems with public transport to encourage multimodal travel[5].
• Smart Bike-Share Systems: Implementing smart bike-share systems allows users to easily locate and rent bicycles, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of cycling as a transportation mode. This encourages more people to use cycling as part of their daily commute[5].
• Traffic Calming Measures: Implementing traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps and reduced speed limits, can help integrate cycling infrastructure by reducing the speed of motor vehicles and creating a more harmonious environment for cyclists and other road users[5].
• Multimodal Infrastructure: Consider integrating cycling infrastructure with emerging modes like e-bikes and scooters to promote a diverse range of transportation options and enhance the overall efficiency of urban mobility systems[5].

Principles for Effective Balance

Key Principles for Urban Planning

• Accessibility: Ensure that both separate and integrated cycling infrastructure is accessible to all users, including people with disabilities and diverse age groups[3].
• Safety: Design infrastructure that prioritizes safety for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike[3].
• Sustainability: Promote cycling as a sustainable transportation mode that reduces environmental impacts and supports urban sustainability goals[3].
• Engagement with Stakeholders: Involve cyclists, residents, and local businesses in the planning process to ensure that infrastructure meets the needs of all stakeholders[5].

1. Lucas Harms, Managing Director at the Dutch Cycling Embassy, explains the "chicken and egg" predicament in creating bike-friendly cities, stating, "it's tough to predict the demand for a bridge by counting the number of swimmers in the river."
2. In discussing cycling infrastructure, Isabell Eberlein, cycling expert for Velokonzept, highlights the difference between objective and subjective safety, saying, "most rules and regulations only recognize objective safety, but subjective safety is crucial—if you ask vulnerable groups why they don't bike, it's always a matter of subjective safety."
3. Governments often struggle to budget for cycling infrastructure, as Lucas Harms, coordinator of CIVITAS Handshake, explains, "Cycling campaigns and infrastructure come with a price tag. In many cases, cycling infrastructure is not seen as essential, like car infrastructure, making it difficult for governments to budge on the budget for cycling."
4. The London Cycling Campaign's Simon Munk discusses the delicate task of addressing opponents' concerns without fueling animosity towards cycling infrastructure, saying, "schemes often cause anger, upset, chaos, and confusion, but once they've gone through an adjustment period, things settle down. Engage and be reasonable."
5. Urban planners focusing on cycling infrastructure must consider strategies to balance separate and integrated cycling infrastructure. Timo Perälä, President of the Winter Cycling Federation, emphasizes the importance of such balance, stating, "Balancing separate and integrated cycling infrastructure in urban planning involves a thoughtful approach to ensure that cycling facilities are both safe and accessible for all users while also being integrated with other transportation modes."

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