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More than 200 people attended the 2023 Swiss Velo Conference in Novembre 2023 in Lucerne. The title? « Tomorrow starts now! » If you couldn't make it, here is a short summary by Prof. Patrick Rérat who was one of the invited speakers.
(1) People must be at the centre
We have to plan cycling infrastructure so that everyone can take up cycling (see the 8-80 model). The challenge is to ATTRACT new cyclists but also to RETAIN existing cyclists (it's a practice that can be fragile) and to EXPAND their uses. How do we assess the quality of cycling infrastructure? Think of an 11 year-old (the Laura-test)! Would she cycle there? More precisely, routes must meet 5 criteria: safe, direct, connected, comfortable and attractive. Patrick Rérat presented why these criteria are important on the basis of several research projects led at OUVEMA and the risks of dismissing some of them.
(2) We need new images and new tools
Road design has changed in Amsterdam and Copenhagen. It can change in Switzerland too! What do we need? a) To understand why roads are like they are now (they are not "normal" but the results of 100 years of political decisions and investments), b) To create visions and images of alternative road designs (see the forthcoming report by the Swiss Velo Conference) and c) To have new tools such as networking planning, potential analysis and weak point assessment.
(3) The « return of the bicycle » requires synergies between 4 actors: a) Population (who voted several times in favour of cycling and a good part of which is ready to cycle (more) if good infrastructure is provided; b) NGOs that can put pressure and give new ideas; c) Politicians (who have to be ambitious and set priorities) and d) Administration (with the task to plan and to implement cycling infrastructure).
(4) We don't lack physical space but political will and imagination. Switzerland aims to double the number of trips and the distance covered by bicycle by 2035. That's feasible! But let's use that opportunity to rethink roads and streets to make them invite people to cycling (and not dare them to cycle) and to create new spaces for living (including climate adaptation, identity, social and economic issues, etc.).
The next issue of the journal of the Swiss Velo Conference will publish these papers based on the presentations. Presentations are online.
Speakers: Anna Bucher Lassen, Oliver Dreyer, Cindy Freudenthaler, Kathrin Hager, Michael Liebi, Patrick Rérat, Marco Starkermann, Martin Urwyler, Ursula Wyss
Moderator: Aline Renard