A wider cycle path, slats against the bright light of car headlights, and a renewed guardrail. By the end of 2024, we improved the bicycle connection on the Jan Blanken Bridge between Nieuwegein and Vianen in collaboration with the province of Utrecht and the Cyclists Union.
The heavily cycled bridge is already in use, but today the authorities and the community paused to reflect on the good cooperation during a meeting.
‘We are happy to promote cycling’
Rijkswaterstaats Director General Eric Diepstraten: ‘As Rijkswaterstaat, we are very pleased to promote the use of bicycles in this way. Cycling will also help us reduce inconvenience from the many roadworks we need to carry out. This bicycle connection is very important for the region; at peak times, about 600 people cycle every 15 minutes. Therefore, together with the province, we looked at possibilities for improvement.’
Provincial Executive André van Schie (mobility): ‘As a province, we work daily to make the busiest cycle paths wider, safer, and more comfortable, for example, through the construction of cycling routes. The widening of the cycle path on the Jan Blanken Bridge helps to get more people on bicycles. It is a beautiful result of our cooperation with the Cyclists Union, municipalities, and Rijkswaterstaat for that purpose.’
What has changed on the Jan Blanken bicycle bridge?
During the major maintenance of the A2 in the autumn of 2024, the bicycle bridge was closed for a few weeks and upgraded. The bicycle bridge is 50 cm wider so cyclists have more space. Research shows that overtaking or passing each other is therefore safer.
Furthermore, cyclists are less bothered by the glare of vehicle lights thanks to the placement of slats on the guardrail.
No windscreen but safer
The Cyclists Union especially would have liked to see more improvements to the bridge, such as a windscreen. Unfortunately, there was no space for that; otherwise, the cycle path would have had to be narrower instead of wider.
Diepstraten: ‘We realize that there were more wishes for this connection, but thanks to optimal cooperation, we have achieved what was feasible. We preferred safety.’