Last year, from April to July, we conducted a trial in Amsterdam West where fast cyclists could choose to ride on the roadway. The results show that a small portion of fast cyclists opted for the roadway. Most cyclists were positive about the trial. According to them, moving fast cyclists to the roadway provided more comfort, peace, and safety on the bike path. This spring, the experiment will continue.
The trial ran from April to July 2024 on the Constantijn Huygensstraat and the Bilderdijkstraat. We conducted measurements, interviewed cyclists, and conducted a survey among all road users, including motorists.
The Research
We investigated what happens when we organize the road based on speed instead of vehicle type. On the roadway of the Constantijn Huygensstraat and the Bilderdijkstraat, a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h applies. On the bike path, an advisory speed limit of 20 km/h was in effect. During the trial, cyclists who rode faster than 20 km/h were allowed to ride on the roadway among motor traffic. Because fast cyclists are not yet allowed to ride on the roadway according to the law, temporary traffic measures were in place.
No Unsafe Situations
Measurements show that up to 3 percent more (motor)cyclists rode on the roadway. Motorists on the roadway kept a safe distance from cyclists, and motorists and cyclists took each other into account when merging and unmerging. Therefore, there were no unsafe situations during the trial.
Results on the Bike Path
Since not many cyclists used the roadway, there was no significant decrease in speed and congestion on the bike path. Many cyclists remained on the bike path because they felt safer or more comfortable there, or did not want to ride faster. Cyclists who rode on the roadway found this pleasant. Despite the small effects, most cyclists thought it was a good idea to allow fast cyclists on the roadway in more places. Motorists were less positive about this in the survey.
Speed Differences on the Bike Path
Councilor Melanie van der Horst (Traffic and Transport): “Due to speed differences and congestion on the bike path, we need to carefully consider the most logical place on the road for fast cyclists and cargo bikes. Because I hear more and more often that elderly people or parents with children no longer dare to ride their bikes because they find the bike path dangerously crowded. This trial has shown that fast cyclists can safely ride on the roadway.
In the coming period, we will continue to experiment to reduce the speed on the bike path. This spring, we will already start a trial to make fast cyclists ride slower in Rembrandtpark, Westerpark, and Vondelpark.”
Continuation
We will share the results of this trial with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and other traffic organizations. We will also investigate, together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and other municipalities, the possibilities for conducting other trials. For example, we will look at whether we can set a maximum speed limit on bike paths, whether we can voluntarily move electric cargo bikes to the roadway, and whether we can ban electric vehicles in pedestrian areas where cycling is allowed.