More than 100 million Euros for the expansion of the Graz Cycle Network
More than 100 million Euros for the expansion of the Graz Cycle Network
October 24, 2019
More than 100 million euros will flow into the expansion of the Graz cycle network by 2030 – this political solidarity was presented on Tuesday by representatives of three of the main political parties (ÖVP, SPÖ and FPÖ). In the future, motorists will have to make room for so-called cycle highways.
370,000 car journeys currently burden the Styrian capital – particulate matter, noise and lack of parking spaces are the result. More than half of these are journeys of less than 10 kilometres. With an investment of 100 million euros by the year 2030, the government intends to make the switch to bicycles more attractive for locals and commuters – as is already the case in Copenhagen or Amsterdam.
Rapid cycling routes planned
The time for action has come and Graz wants to become more like these model cities and persuade commuters in the immediate vicinity of the city to use the planned cycle highways said Siegfried Nagl (ÖVP), mayor of Graz.
These cycle routes are to be built along main traffic arteries. In addition, the existing cycle network is to be expanded and better networked.
Bicycle lanes instead of car parks
Anton Lang (SPÖ), member of the State Council for Transport, emphasises that cycling must be given the same importance as cars in everyday traffic.
This would require certain measures, according to Lang: “removing on-street car parking spaces to put in cycle lanes will certainly be unpopular at first. But the intention is to replace them by parking garages or underground garages – these are measures where you certainly have to expect resistance”.
33 euros per capita for cycling
With the 100 million, financed equally by the City of Graz and the Province of Styria, Graz will then invest 33 euros per capita in the cycling infrastructure. The model city of Copenhagen is 21 euros. This enormous investment is also necessary, say the Grazer Grünen (Green Party), because the Styrian capital needs to catch up in terms of cycling network.
Source: steiermark.ORF.at
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