Hello Habr.
In recent years, in different cities of Russia, more attention has been paid to cycling infrastructure. The process, of course, goes slowly and slightly “creakingly” – cars are parked on the bike paths, often the bike paths do not withstand winter with salt and are erased, and it is not physically possible to place these bike paths everywhere. In general, there are problems, but I am glad that they are at least somehow trying to solve them.
Let's see how the cycling infrastructure works in Holland, a country with a long history of cycling, where the number of bicycles is greater than the number of inhabitants.
A bicycle in Holland is not only a vehicle, but also a part of the national culture
Bike paths
Bicycle paths are everywhere in Holland, and this is not a literary exaggeration. From almost anywhere in the country, you can get to any other without getting off your bike. The paths are highlighted in a different color, so it is difficult to confuse them, and of course, it is not recommended to walk along them on foot. Yes, and it will not work, velotraffik is often quite busy.
Where possible, bike lanes are physically separated from the pavement, although this is not always the case and depends on the width of the street.
Of course, they are not always so empty, at rush hour it rather happens like this:
(a source )
By the way, even special models of GPS receivers are sold (for example, Garmin Edge) with stitched bike paths that pave the route along them.
The bike paths themselves in most cases are separated not only from the sidewalk, but also from the roadway, and are generally very safe - there are clear markings, signs, separate traffic lights, each bike path is often duplicated on both sides of the road, so it’s physically impossible to go to the “oncoming lane” . Therefore, most Dutch people do not wear helmets, and bike accidents are practically an exception - of course you can fall from a bike, but it’s hard to get seriously hurt.
By the way, why there are more bicycles in Holland than bicycles - the answer is simple. Many people use 2 bikes, on one they go from home to the metro, and leave it near the railway station, on the second they go from the final station to work. And some may have an old rusty bike that is not a pity to leave on the street, and another good one at home, for sports or longer weekend trips. By the way, with an average price of a tram or bus of 2 Euros per trip, an old used bike for 100-200 Euros will fully pay off in a season, even if you just throw it away later (although the Dutch almost never throw away bikes - I have such antique models in other places haven't seen it in a while).
Infrastructure
Of course, for people to use bicycles, it must be convenient. And the government is investing heavily in this. Almost every station or stop has bike racks, ranging in size from a simple frame to a covered shed, or even underground parking for thousands of bikes. And, most of the time it's free.
Parking lots can vary in size, from:
And up to these:
(a source )
Huge underground bike parks are being built, a couple of pictures to understand the scale of construction and the money invested:
(source - )
Of course, almost every office center has not only a bike rack, but also a shower for employees.
But all the same, there are not enough parking lots for everyone, and most of them have to go to them, so the bike is simply left on the street and fastened to anything. In principle, any tree or pole is also a good bike parking (if there is no rain, but this does not bother the owners either - in this case, a bag is simply put on the saddle).
Another important point is that with a bicycle you can take the subway or train (outside rush hour, and the number is limited to a few pieces per carriage). Wagons where you can go with a bike are marked with a special sign:
(A source: )
Bicycles
Veliki in Holland can be divided into several different types.
antique junk
This is a great 20-50 year old, creaky and rusty, which is not a pity to leave on the street and it is not a pity if they steal it.
Bike for transporting children
I don't know what it's called officially, but it's probably clear from the picture. A fairly expensive bike (the price can be up to 3000 Euros for electric models), designed to transport children.
On such a bike, mom or dad can bring children to school or kindergarten, then go further to work.
There are even special mega bikes that fit a small group of kindergarten at once:
(source - )
All sorts of exotic models also come across, for example, such a “recumbent” bike is called ligfiets, the German name liegerad (liegen - lie) is more popular in the world.
(source - )
Maybe he is better in terms of aerodynamics, but on the road you can’t see his nefig - no one in life will guess that something else can go at high speed at the bottom of the legs.
Electric bicycles
Electric bicycles have a design speed limit of up to 25 km/h, and are fully automatic – as soon as you start pedaling, the electric motor “picks up”. The power reserve is up to 40 km, which is quite convenient, although of course such a bike is heavier and more expensive than usual.
More powerful models have speeds up to 40 km / h and seem to require a number plate and a helmet, but I don’t know for sure.
Folding bikes
Such a bike folds in 2 times, and what is most convenient, it can be transported on the subway or train without restrictions.
When folded, such a bike takes up very little space:
(source - )
Motorcycle wheels and other exotic
If I am not mistaken, so far they are outside the legal field, and are not legally allowed. However, motorcycle wheels are really exotic here, and they are very, very rare (although they are in the price lists). Scooters are also very rare.
Conclusions
As you can see, with the will of both the people and the government, a lot can be done. Of course, the climate also influences here (the average winter temperature in Holland is + 3-5, and snow happens 1 week a year). But even in the Russian climate, if there is a good network of cycle paths, I am sure that many people would switch to bicycles for at least 5-6 months a year. And this investment is also in the environment, in the fight against global warming, and so on and so forth.
PS: This picture is not Holland at all, but Petersburg:
(source - )
The Dutch experience is adopted (it seems that specialists were also invited for consultations), and this pleases.
Source: habr.com