Groningen recently presented its new cycling strategy for 2015-2025. The city population is growing, commuter traffic is increasing and public space is under pressure. The story of so many cities, really. Groningen chooses the bicycle to keep the city accessible, liveable, economically vital, healthy and safe. It shows that with a good strategy, cycling can deliver all this to make a quantum leap forward. All governing political parties voted unanimously in favour of the cycling strategy on Wednesday 22 April 2015.

How exactly is Groningen planning to make a quantum leap forward on cycling?

1. Bicycles included from the start

New territorial developments will have to make a Bicycle Effect Analysis to ensure cycling is included from the very start in each project. The renovation of the main train station, for example, also includes a new underground bike tunnel  and 5.000 extra parking spaces for bicycles. The city also prioritises cycling in maintenance: main cycling routes will be kept be snow free before rush hour and the city promises to pay special attention to any road hazards such as glass, bumps or holes and will invest in good lighting on important cycling routes. Citizens can also notify the administration about any problems through an app. Groningen measures satisfaction about the bicycle policy and currently 75% of citizens in the evaluation panel rate the policy with a 7/10. Groningen's target is to get an 8/10! Experiments are also a central part of Groningen's new cycling strategy. They will investigate the heating of main cycling paths through warmth coming from the sewers or the ground.

2. Fully integrated cycling network

Groningen has really done its homework in mapping the current cycling network and its flaws. The city has identified 11 unsafe crossings, 18 cycling unfriendly routes, 3 important places with a lack of bike parking and - wait for it - 10 cycling unfriendly traffic lights! The city will work to improve the quality of the cycle network and start to develop the last of 8 fast cycling routes to connect nearby towns and villages.   Furthermore, 9 Park & Bike areas with lockers, quality bike parking, and (e-)bike rental services will be installed on busy access roads leading to the city to encourage commuters to leave the car behind and switch to the bicycle.

3. More space for active mobility

Groningen will facilitate cycling on the inner city ring and provide better walking conditions to go to the core of the city in order to improve the relationship between cyclists and shopping pedestrians. Streets with low car traffic and an overcrowded cycling path will be transformed into "cycling streets" where cyclists have priority and car drivers are guests. The city is also looking into greener cycle logistics for deliveries in the centre

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4. Tailored bike parking solutions

Again, Groningen experiments to make cyclists' lives easier. The city distinguishes between short, mid and long term parking facility needs and especially for long term parking new  solutions are being tested. The Bicycle Effect Analysis says bicycle parking has to be foreseen in every new building. The city will look into the possibility of parking bikes in temporarily empty shops, give house owners who are renting rooms to students the permission to install a bike rack at their expense and finally, where possible, the city will check if car parking spaces can be turned into bicycle parkings.

5. Promoting Cycling

Last but not least, Groningen will actively promote cycling. To make their citizens and the whole world more conscious about the advantages of cycling in the city. A fun new city bike logo, based on the telephone area code of the city, has been created and will be creatively used on traffic lights and cycle paths. 2016 will be the year of the bicycle and it's Groningen's ambition to become the best cycling city of the Netherlands.

Groningen is also a member of our Cities for Cyclists Network and Vice-Mayor for Mobility Paul de Rook is stepping up on the international scene, representing Groningen at the Velo-city conference. More information about Groningen's plans to make more room for bikes can be read in Dutch here. The strategy is available in Dutch here. They are now available in English as well.