1. Cycling policy in Ghent Ghent 28-06-2011

2. Veerle Bekaert Mobility Department, City of Ghent

3. City of Ghent - some data

4. 236.000 inhabitants

5. 300 schools – 65.000 students – 60.000 pupils

6. 35 ha pedestrian area

7. 110.000 bicycle movements per day

8. Introducing a cycling policy in Ghent Why…?

9. Because … (early 90’s)

10. Find the difference … (2009)

11. Bron: foto-archief Stad Gent, dienst stedenbouw & ruimtelijke planning Gras – en Korenlei 1960 1970 1980 1990 Present Future

12. Bron: foto-archief Stad Gent, dienst stedenbouw & ruimtelijke planning Gras – en Korenlei 1960 1970 1980 1990 Present Future

13. Mobility plan Principles

14. Mobility plan Principles

15. Sint-Baafsplein Bron: foto-archief Stad Gent, dienst stedenbouw & ruimtelijke planning 1960 1970 1980 1990 Presen t Future

16. Sint-Baafsplein Bron: foto-archief Stad Gent, dienst stedenbouw & ruimtelijke planning 1960 1970 1980 1990 Present Future

17. Sint-Baafs

18. More than 15 years of sustainable mobility planning Milestones: 1993: first bicycle plan 1997: mobility plan for the city center (35 ha pedestrian zone) 2003: mobility plan for the city 2009-2010: second mobility plan The bicycle plan of ’93 was the start of a complete different approach on mobility and traffic issues in Ghent

19. Result after 15 years? 10% more bicycle use on average More than 2/3 of the 65.000 students uses the bicycle every day A growing number of train commuters cycle between their home and the railway station (+10 % every year)

20. Introducing a cycling policy in Ghent How…?

21. In general Cycling policy in favour for the daily cyclist – recreational cycling needs a complete different approach Working witch a set of integrated mobility measures Introducing a Cycling policy in Ghent – How ?

22. Cycling policy is a part of our integrated mobility policy Less cars, more bikes and more public transport Bring cycling in every possible project

23. Key success factor of cycling policy Well planned and designed cycling network A quality bike for everyone Bicycle parking: adjusted infrastructure for every place Motivate people to cycle by innovative campaigns  

24. Bicycle lanes – cycling network

25. Main bicycle routes (’93)

26. Functional bicycle network

27. Network of cycling lanes Past Construction of bicycle tunnels and bridges Completion of the main bicycle routes Smaller improvements on bicycle routes (plateaus, cycling in one way streets, etc…) Now Bicycle tracks on the fine network

28. Cycling tunnels and bridges

29. Completion of the main bicycle routes

30. Restricted one-way traffic in 700 streets

31. Bicycle street- work in progress

32. The bike 

33.  Bikes for everyone

34.  Not everyone owns a bike or is able to use his own bicycle Several initiatives in Ghent to facilitate bike use: 1.‘StudentENmobiliteit’ 2.‘Max Mobiel’ 3.Bikes for city personnel

35.  Bikes for city personnel Every employee can choose between: 1.Bike maintained by the city => 3000 black&white bikes in use 2.Use of own bike and paid 0.15€/km 3.Public transport pass

36. Bicycle parking 

37.  Bicycle parking policy Situation The risk for theft is one of the main reasons for not using a bike High bicycle theft rate –+/- 2,000 reported stolen bikes/year –4/5 victims do not report the theft => increasing demand for bicycle sheds

38.  Unguarded free bike sheds: two types

39.  Type “Gent”

40.  Type ‘Pedalo’ => ‘Staple’

41.  Main railway stations NOW: –At this moment over 8,000 bicycles are parked every day at the two main railway stations of Ghent. –With the large amount of thefts there is a huge demand for guarded sheds. –700 places in the guarded bicycle sheds –5000 places in unguarded bicycle sheds.

42.  Main railway stations Future: Station Gent-Sint-Pieters: –10,000 places in semi- guarded sheds under the railway station. Station Dampoort: –1,130 places in unguarded sheds (including doubledecks) –Guarded shed for 100 places. Realisation: 2016 (work in progress)

43.  ‘Bicycle lockers’ To facilitate combination car/public transport with a bicycle: –Commuters can approach the city, change transport mode and use a bike in the center –Individual dedicated lockers on the parking spot

44.  ‘Bike bins’ CIVITAS trial with “bicycle boxes” as a possible solution: –A box for 5 bicycles –Paying –Bicycle protected against vandalism and theft –Only 5 users with a key (or code)

45. Work in progress 2 semi-guarded public bicycle sheds underneath 2 of the biggest squares: –Emiel Braunplein –Korenmarkt Providing about 400 bicycle parking spots Free access Semi-guarded: guarded with cameras and frequent security checks. 

46. Campaigns

47. Cycling promotional campaigns Encouraging people to participate in a new mobility culture Second hand bicycle market, twice every year Traffic safety Campaign Campaigns

49. Be fancy when you cycle

50. And last but not least “There is no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing”

51. Contact Veerle Bekaert Mobility Department City of Ghent Ramen 21 9000 Ghent Tel 00 32 9 266 77 61 Fax 00 32 9 266 77 79 e-mail : mobiliteit@gent.bemobiliteit@gent.be www.gentfietst.be