Author: Civil Engineering Office, City of Zurich 

Cycling in Zurich is currently at a crucial milestone. The journey to a city whose bicycle infrastructure is in no way inferior to the urban offer of culture, culinary delights and quality of life was strategically anchored in 2012 in the so-called «Masterplan Velo». The goal of the plan: more and safer cycling for everyone. Fortunately, the number of cyclists has increased by more than 50% in recent years, but unfortunately, the number of accidents has also risen. An unpleasant situation, politics and the public agree.

The call for more cycling infrastructure

In Zurich the inhabitants consider the situation for walking and public transport good, but the general conditions for cycling are not. The population wishes for continuous, safe and visible cycle routes. This is why the popular initiative «Safe cycle routes for Zurich» was launched. It involves the expansion of the bicycle infrastructure by 50 kilometres with cycle routes that run through the entire city on district roads and are mostly free of cars. In addition, there is to be a 30 km/h speed limit, priority is to be given to bicycles and the traffic junctions are to be made more clearly structured. On 27 September 2020, the city's voters voted on the initiative. The result was overwhelming: 70.5% of the voters said yes to the initiative. The city is now called upon to implement the mandate.

Next steps in Zurich's cycling promotion

The first stage of implementation will begin in 2020 on the Baslerstrasse, which lies on an important axis towards the city centre. This immediate measure mainly involves the removal of parking spaces and the installation of new markings on the street. It will bring a major improvement without the need for major construction measures. The Baslerstrasse then will be further optimised together with three other routes 2021. Their implementation will be accompanied by measures such as the removal of parking spaces, new markings and the elimination of through traffic. These first routes are implemented quickly, efficiently and at low cost. The city now wants to make a statement and then gradually optimise the routes based on the experience gained.

Building projects are also decisive landmarks on the journey. In autumn 2024, for example, the city tunnel under the main railway station will be opened for bicycles. This is a stretch of road that was built in the 1990s for future use as a motorway. Since then, the city tunnel is unfinished and in its raw condition. It is 192 metres long and around 25 metres wide. There is no indication that the corresponding motorway will be built within the next two decades. The city of Zurich therefore wants to use the tunnel in a new and sustainable way to connect the two urban districts 4 and 5. In addition, the city will build a bicycle parking with around 1100 parking lots in the middle of the tunnel. From there, the cyclists have a direct connection to the plattforms of the main station. 

Just as decisive as such intermediate sprints is the strategic anchoring of the popular initiative. It is going to be implemented in the further development of the Masterplan Velo. In a few years' time, Zurich will become an Eldorado not only for art lovers and culinary enthusiasts, but also for all cyclists of all kinds and ages.

The City of Zurich joins ECF's Cities & Regions for Cyclists, a network bringing together local and regional administrations, actively working to promote the bicycle as a mode of transport and leisure. For more information on the network, our current members and how to join visit our Cities & Regions for Cyclists page. 
For questions and applications contact Froso Christofides, Members & Networks Manager, f.christofides@ecf.com