Sunday, 6 October 2024
InfrastructureNews

Brabant throws €41.3 million into pot to back 183km of “fast” bike infrastructure

Over the next four years, the Netherland’s southerly Brabant province is to invest a further €41.3 million into fast bike highways.

As part of a wider €125 million plan to develop active travel, five new fast routes are planned with a total combined length of 183 kilometres, giving the region a series of segregated routes capable of housing high speed cycle traffic.

By definition, ‘fast paths’ allow riders to cover greater distances, often up to 30km in length and have become increasingly popular with the advent of electric bikes. It is anticipated that new constructions due by 2020 include the 14.6km between Roosendaal and Bergen op Zoop, the 12.7km between Eindhoven and Helmond via Nuenen, 10km linking Eindhoven and Helmond via Geldrop, as well as the 18.7km linking Den Bosch and Waalwijk, among other links.

The Province of Brabant is to contribute approximately half of the cost toward the highways, some of which are already built and hosting cyclists.

Local Government and employers have reportedly invested heavily in commuter and leisure cycling in recent years, with transport hubs carrying public hire bikes and large scale businesses encouraging cycling to work.

The Netherland’s Future Agenda Quick Cycle Route map is now set to offer 675 kilometres of fast cycle path at a total cost of €700 million.

For more background on the project, see here and here.

To read more on cities around the globe beginning to make inroads in promoting and building for cycling, click here.