Krakow, Poland. ECF Went to Poland recently for the TRA conference where health policy officer Dr Randy Rzewnicki presented How to calculate the positive impact of increasing cycling on health and the economy?  Then he took the high speed train down to Krakow, where he was pleasantly surprised to see great things happening. Here he reflects on the dramatic rise of cycling where you might not expect it.

Krakow has developed some of the very best conditions for cycling that I have seen in Europe. And they have done so in a very short time. Less than 10 years ago Krakow city officials said they wanted to see more cycling and worked with ECF on the LifeCycle project. It was hard working in 2008-2011 with very bad conditions: the cold climate, poor road infrastructure, peoples’ pent up car envy, etc.

Marcin Hyla, a key cycling campaigner said “Years ago, when I saw bike tracks in the snow, I knew who put them there, and where they were going. But not any more.” His work, with and for Miasta Dla Rowerów (Cities For Bicycles) has clearly born fruit.

 In 2016 I found a very different city: with kilometre after kilometer of high quality dedicated bike paths, new cycle parking, public bike system number four (!) getting ready to run (see photo of city officials reviewing candidate bikes here below) , and a grand new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists (see photos).

These are combined with 60% mode share using public transport (including some modern, new trams) vs about 35% using cars and the city centre where private cars are restricted. The result is a vibrant and exciting place to be.

The mayor had the vision and leadership to push through the new bridge to walk and cycle across the river despite fierce opposition, His decision turned out to be successful and the results are on his side: high levels of users and a revitalized section of the city, with trendy and fashionable businesses, new housing developments and a museum, and more.

Certainly the most exciting feature for me was to see how much more cycling and walking has resulted from these developments.

In the district of Kazimierz, I saw many bikes with strong locks attached to poles or railings, often where they blocked pedestrians. Bike parking racks have recently been installed in the city centre. It’s reasonable to expect the city will continue supporting cycling by doing so also in Kazimierz.

The very large population of students is well served by the regular public transport as well as the developments in cycling policy and infrastructure. It allows young people to choose from a range of mobility options.For young and older students, cycling is THE way to get around their city (See the photo of lots of kids’ bikes outside their school in April 2016).

For some it’s clear that the best way to reach their destination is to ride a bike. Antek, 18, was asked why he’d taken a bike to the swimming pool when the weather was cold and wet. “It was simply the easiest thing for me to do” he said.  Jarek, his father was only mildly surprised, since he himself rides his bike into the city centre twice per week. “It takes me 20 minutes to ride the bike or to drive. I like to bike because of the fresh air, and the green space I pass through on my way. Since it’s the same amount of time, I can easily choose.”  At his workplace there is plenty of secure cycle parking and a shower for employees use. “In summer time the racks are full and we don’t have enough bike parking” he said

We met with some city officials who were very forward thinking, and saw the benefits that active transport was bringing to their city and region, said ECF’s Rzewnicki. Krakow is more than ready to join the ECF Cities for cyclists network and share their success story with other cities and regions across Europe. They have a lot of good news there, and can be proud of what they’ve achieved. 

If you want your city to be a member of Cities For Cyclists, contact Benedicte Swennen.