Stockholm, Sweden, is known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and scenic waterways. Now, the city is taking another step towards a more sustainable future by creating its first bicycle street, where cycling is the priority on Surbrunnsgatan. This initiative is part of the city’s efforts to promote cycling as a viable mode of transportation, […]
Stockholm, Sweden, is known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and scenic waterways. Now, the city is taking another step towards a more sustainable future by creating its first bicycle street, where cycling is the priority on Surbrunnsgatan. This initiative is part of the city’s efforts to promote cycling as a viable mode of transportation, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality.
According to an SVT News article, the street will be constructed of red asphalt and stretch for 900 meters on Surbrunnsgatan in Vasastan. Like other bicycles streets that exist in the Netherlands, bicycles will have the priority.
“The inspiration comes from the world’s number one cycling paradise – the Netherlands. The concept is well established and has created a positive traffic culture in the cities,” wrote traffic councilor Lars Strömgren (MP) in the city of Stockholm, on Twitter. “Looking forward to seeing the effects here in Stockholm!”
The city of Stockholm is also introducing special signs demarking a bicycle street.
Surbrunnsgatan is designated as one of the city’s main cycle routes in the long-term cycle plan that the city of Stockholm follows.
Of course, many on social media have pointed out that these streets exist elsewhere such as in Copenhagen, Berlin and are not always as successful in practice as they are in theory. Even in the rendering of the bicycle street, there is still what looks to be on-street parking and plenty of cars in the distance.
This has recently been done in Copenhagen as well. Not really a succes though, as the cars have great trouble behavings as guests.
— JHM // chava (@jens_hm) February 7, 2023
According to SVT, the cost of the bike street is estimated at SEK 23 million or about $2.2US million. Not suprisingly, there are some in the local government, such as city councilor Dennis Wedin, who are not fans of the bicycle street concept for central Stockholm.
“It is set up for longer car queues, regardless of whether you have an electric car or not. Do you think about the consequences, or are you just looking to prevent people from taking the car at any given time,” Dennis Wedin told SVT.
A decision was scheduled to be made this month, and if it goes ahead the bike lane is planned to be finished before the end of the year.
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