Untitled - Ministerstwo Rozwoju Regionalnego

struggle with inappropriate pavement, lack of lighting, collision-prone intersection,
and last but not least dead-end pathways left unfinished when the money
had run out… Safe parking facilities are also scarce, while transporting a bicycle
on public transport remains impossible in many cities. The common excuse by
city authorities is of course lack of funds. However, the fact is that according to
specialists, the cost of creating a uniform and efficient network of cycling routes
is roughly the same as the cost of buying two trams, which certainly is not
a huge sum when compared with car infrastructure expenditure.
The biggest problem in Poland is lack of consistent cycling policies (we are
the two black sheep of the European Union in this respect, together with Spain).
The same rules of cycle route development, cycling infrastructure pilot projects
and efficient methods of funding should be used all across the country. Only
a few local authorities in Poland have the position of cycling policy coordinator.
The city of Gdañsk is probably the most positive example, since it was the first
city to embark on a comprehensive programme of cycling routes construction.
Between 2002 and 2006, the Gdañsk Cycling Infrastructure and Promotion Project
was successfully implemented. What makes the project special is the fact,
that it was practically entirely carried out by NGOs (Obywatelska Liga Ekologiczna
from Gdañsk, as well as the Polski Klub Ekologiczny – the organization looking after
the Cities for Bicycles network). Partnership cooperation with the authorities
of the city of Gdañsk has brought positive results, which is now a valuable
source of information for other cities investing in cycling infrastructure.
In the area of pro-cycling policy, we can also learn from our western neighbours.
The position of “Cycling Officer” can be found in the authorities of most
cities in Germany or the neighbouring Austria. In the city of Salzburg, for example,
a full-time position has been set up in the City Hall. The Cycling Coordinator
is placed in the Building Directorate, and reports directly to the Building Director.
The responsibilities include, among others, planning and preparing programs
for construction of cycle tracks and lanes, supervising the infrastructure
under construction, organizing cycling forums, co-editing maps of cycling route
networks, organizing promotional campaigns and conducting public consultations.
Effective pro-cycling policy involves cooperation of a few sectors of administration
(urban planning, public works, public transport, education, the police),
as well as cooperation with the private sector, nongovernmental organizations
and the public. Cycling co-ordinator can effectively mediate between all of
them. Another important task of the coordinator lies also in identifying possible
sources of funding for cycling projects. Grants for that purpose may be obtained
within the framework of policies regarding safety, education, tourism, sports
and recreation, the environment and heritage protection.
Even with a relatively small number of investment projects, it is possible to
significantly improve conditions of bicycle use in cities. A set of non-investment
organisational solutions, which allow substantial increase in the quality of pro-
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