Temporary cycle paths for the restart phase from the COVID-19 emergency

By project REGIO-MOB

Published on 29 August 2022

Italy

Lazio

Rome

About this good practice

The City Council of Rome in April 2020 approved an Extraordinary Plan for post lockdown mobility (Resolution no.76 Establishment of cycle routes to support sustainable mobility for the post lockdown restart phase from national emergency for COVID 19 - Approval of Extraordinary plan of interventions to be carried out using only horizontal and vertical signs on roadways of road infrastructures) which provided for the construction of 150 kilometers of temporary and permanent cycle paths along the main roads of the city and along other key routes. Local authorities consider the use of bicycles to be an effective way to allow the mobility of residents in compliance with the rules of physical distancing in force to combat COVID-19. The initiatives undertaken in support of cycling have numerous advantages, first of all by promoting active mobility, it is possible to limit the use of the car and reduce the load on public transport. In addition to this, the cycle infrastructure contributes to developing the interconnected transport network envisaged for the Italian capital within its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). 5 types of "temporary" cycle paths was designed by the Municipality at the time of the pandemic emergency with the aim of promoting circulation on two wheels in anticipation of the reopening of production activities, shops and to prevent congestion in the circulation of car.

Resources needed

In the specific case of Rome the total cost for the 150kms of the operation including VAT was € 3,863,496.00. The costs for the cycle paths are to be considered very low since they are light interventions (with horizontal and vertical signs) along the priority axes and the most frequented sections.

Evidence of success

The strength of these solutions lies in the fact that to all intents and purposes these paths were already provided for by the PUMS - Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, and therefore must not be dismantled, but rather will be subsequently perfected in order to make them permanent. The evidence of success shows that in a few months the interconnection and integration network of cycling has been increased.

Potential for learning or transfer

Once the emergency is over, this solution remains available to all those who choose to use the bicycle as an alternative to a private car, especially in the much more agile electric version for the climbs of the city of Rome. It is a series of interventions to be carried out using only horizontal and vertical signs on roadways of road infrastructures.
The construction of mobility corridors to be used for cycling to decongest motorized traffic and favoring widespread cycling is achievable at low cost and in a short time, through the use of the synergy between the municipal police, the mobility agency (if the case). The lesson learned shows that in a few months the interconnection and integration network of cycling has been increased. Given the emergency, these projects are simplified as much as possible. Therefore, they represent an absolute novelty for the technical and administrative offices.
A similar project of "rapid" cycle routes was also carried out in Germany over tens of kms.