Danish Government pedals further into the country with a 70-million euro bike roads budget

A large budget has been agreed upon for the setting up of the necessary infrastructural network

At the start of the week, the Danish Transport Ministry updated news on an Agreement for the green conversion of the road system in the country (to the tune of nearly 70 million euros). This now includes the specification of 20 roadside projects which will see the construction of bicycle lanes parallel to state roads. These will be located all across the national territory providing as a result not just an alternative mode of mobility but also an alternative traffic infrastructure concurrent with the traditional one.

Major political parties stand behind this initiative

The Scandinavian country is already known for having a highly developed cycling culture and habits among its population, being something of a global leader in that respect, yet its Government considered that more can be done. As the Agreement, signed on 4 December 2020 and also supported by the Socialist People’s Party, the Unity List and the Radical Left shows that this is an issue that enjoys widespread approval and it resonates with the citizens.

“I am extremely happy that today we can present 20 new cycle paths, which will ensure school children a safe school route, and which will make it easier for more Danes to take the bicycle to work. Many Danes, also in the countryside, want to take the bike if it is safe and the infrastructure is there. Today's agreement is a really good start, but if more Danes are to experience the bicycle as a real green alternative to keeping in long traffic jams, we need to continue to invest significantly in spreading the bicycle network,” said Rasmus Vestergaard Madsen, transport spokesman for the Unity List.

His words shine light on the reasoning behind the large planned investment.  Apart from environmental concerns, safety is often even more close hitting as an issue for those who partake in daily commutes on two wheels.

The Ministry reported that the next step is to prepare a schedule for the construction of the bike lanes. Likewise, there are still details to be hammered out on the funding application process for municipalities on their specific local cycling infrastructure projects.