[ad_1]
Published:
Photo: TT / Jerker Ivarsson
The new road marking for bicycle lanes will be introduced in December.
Cykelgata is the name of the new road sign that will soon adorn the country’s city centers.
The Swedish Transport Agency, on behalf of the government, has produced the traffic sign on the Finnish model.
The idea is that more people choose the bike in front of the car.
The government has decided on amendments to the Traffic Sign Ordinance that allow municipalities to mark streets as “bike lanes.” The goal is to make life easier for cyclists and, in the long run, to get more people to get started on the bike.
– We see how more and more people choose the bicycle to reduce the pressure on public transport in times of pandemic. We are now giving municipalities another tool to facilitate cycling by introducing a bicycle lane, says Infrastructure Minister Thomas Eneroth (S).
Similar signs across the country
Previously, there was no uniform signage for cyclists across the country, but municipalities developed local solutions.
– Now you will recognize yourself on the signage regardless of whether you live in Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö, says Eneroth.
“Clearly cyclists have priority”
Today, there is often no space to build bike lanes or bike lanes in the central parts of cities. Instead, cyclists refer to riding a bike in mixed traffic. By introducing the new label, the idea is that cyclists have more space in local traffic.
– The difference is that we get a new label where it is clear that cyclists have priority over cars, says the Minister of Infrastructure.
Finnish model
The Swedish Transport Agency has been commissioned to design the new road marking. After looking at the road signs of the Nordic neighbors, the choice fell on the Finnish equivalent. As of December 1, 2020, it will be possible to install bike lanes.
Published:
