Innovative cycling path in the Municipality of Ljutomer

The Municipality of Ljutomer is located in the north-eastern part of Slovenia. With its 11.000 inhabitants, it is the smallest SI city with the SUMP and has implemented it so far in 75%. As part of the investment in the Municipality, two-sided cycling paths and a sidewalk with the length of 850 meters have been built. Street lighting has been installed too, the pedestrian crossing across the regional road and entries into some side streets have been raised, in accordance with the requirements of the municipal cycling guidelines, giving priority to cyclists instead of cars. The focus was especially on the appropriate design of cycling paths. They are usually built in such a way that cars still have priority. Municipality decided to follow the municipality’s cycling guidelines and build an innovative path that would give priority to cyclist and pedestrians. What was especially problematic was the city centre and the driveways leading to private houses. Inadequate planning of driveways greatly reduced quality of bicycle surfaces. To avoid the situation where cyclists have to ride up and down when crossing the driveways or side streets, the cycle path must run on the same level, and the driveway and side-street entries should be raised in the narrow sections where they cross the cycle path. As part of the investment, two more cycling counters have been put up, which will not only encourage cycling but will also provide data that the Municipality can use for further development.