€1.1 Billion for Cycle Infrastructure in the Netherlands

Around €1.1 billion has been allocated to cycle infrastructure in the Netherlands, the Fietserbond (Cyclists’ Association) reports.

Transport ministers announced €780 million for cycle infrastructure nationally, and with contributions from provinces and local authorities, the total will be around €1.1 billion. (The article doesn’t say over what period the sum will be spent).

The Fietserbond is pleasantly surprised by the amount.

It will be spent on cycle parking at railway stations, Cycle Highways known as doorfietsroutes, and tunnels and bridges.

‘With this investment cyclists are given the thought and attention they deserve. The Fietserbond is thus delighted with this news. Our request at recent elections was for €1 billion for cycling. It is a breakthrough that we have achieved this within a year. Good infrastructure is a prerequisite to enabling more people to start cycling and to keep cycling.’

Esther van garderen, director of the fietserbond

Around 3,500 extra cycle parking spaces will be built at Utrecht and Goes stations, to make multi-modal cycle/train journeys quicker and more convenient.

Tunnels and bridges across major roads and railways will connect housing estates to town and city centres.

The Fietserbond notes that the government’s thinking about transport has changed. The bicycle, in combination with public transport, is seen as of vital importance to low-carbon transport.

The Fietserbond hopes that the projects will start soon.

NOS says that the total accessibility announcement was for €7.5 billion.

As well as cycle infrastructure, there is money for improvements to railway stations. The greatest proportion of the €7.5 billion will go to widening roads and junctions to increase the flow of motor vehicles on main roads. There are doubts over some of the projects because of their greenhouse gas impacts, and due to rising construction costs.