Before and After: more improved cycling infrastructure (1)

A number of cities in the Netherlands is currently updating cycling infrastructure. The 'Fietsbalans' (the thorough check of the 'cycling climate' and infrastructure of municipalities by the cyclists' union) may be one reason for this. The Fietsbalans ('Cycling Balance') reports on subjects like the quality of cycling infrastructure (safety, directness, comfort, etc.), the demographics of people cycling (who, when, why, where) and other aspects like population density and how satisfied people are with the cycling policies of a municipality. It also gives municipalities advice on specific subjects scoring low so they can be remedied. Many cities did indeed follow at least some of the advice. Comparing the newest check with the older ones a city can now see whether things have improved and also how they compare with other cities in the Netherlands. If necessary cycling policies can be further improved.

's-Hertogenbosch is one of the cities which has started a city wide update of the cycling infrastructure in 2009 under a six year plan. Almost three years into the plan it is becoming very clear all over the city that the update was not just mere talk and paper plans, no, there really is a great change for the better becoming visible. I already gave you some examples, but I have four more videos with further examples of improved cycling infrastructure. Planners from other countries could learn a lot from the Fietsbalans reports and the improvements to cycling infrastructure that are being made all over the Netherlands. I will show the first two videos this week and the other two in an upcoming blog post.

Stills from the first video: from old fashioned recreational path to wide main cycle route away from motorised traffic.

The first video shows a new main route approaching from the South of the city. Because of a new circular road the canal and the dike next to the canal had to be moved sideways. The city took the opportunity to build a far better cycle route on the new dike than had existed on the old dike 100 meters to the East. This new cycle route forms an alternative to an existing route next to a busy road. It is now a well used route for commuters and school children.

Still from the second video: The cycle path already had priority over cars, but the junction design was updated: no more (dangerous) bollards and an even clearer priority with the also smoother coloured asphalt.

The second video shows a main route from the East of the city. The route was nice already until it hit a service road. The service road is now converted into a cycle street. This means cyclists have priority and cars are guests. The cyclists now also have priority over every side street. In the before situation all the side streets from the right had the right of way:  the ground rule under Dutch traffic law. Two major junctions were converted to be even clearer. But the city seems to have forgotten one traffic light that is very odd. It gives motorised traffic a head start of two seconds which is most unusual and unwanted.

In an upcoming blog post the two other videos.

With all the updates 's-Hertogenbosch was chosen as one of the five nominees running for cycling city 2011 in the Netherlands. I have reported about this before. The final decission will be made in November by an expert jury but there is also a popular vote in which the city is not doing well. 's-Hertogenbosch is now 4th and when you look at the before and after videos you will have to agree that that is clearly undeserved.