Deputy Jeroen Olthof and alderman Hans Heddes (municipality of Schagen) officially opened the new bike street on Sportlaan in Warmenhuizen on December 1. This bike street is part of the through-cycle route between Alkmaar and Schagen.
The street is now designated as a bike street, making it safer for cyclists. The province contributed approximately 20ac100,000 to its realization.
Deputy Jeroen Olthof explains: For establishing the through-cycle network, it is important that the infrastructure is well maintained. This applies to both provincial and municipal roads. By collaborating with municipalities, we ensure safe and comfortable cycling routes in the province. Sportlaan in Warmenhuizen is a fine example of this joint approach.
More space for cyclists
There are relatively many cyclists on Sportlaan. It is also part of the regional through-cycle route. Therefore, a bike street was chosen. Cars are now allowed to drive at a maximum speed of 30 kilometers per hour instead of 50 kilometers per hour. To make traffic safer and prevent cars from speeding, speed bumps have been installed alongside signs. These are raised sections on the road: cars must drive up a small incline and then down again, which naturally slows them down. There is also a rumble strip in the middle of the road. This is a strip with stones that cause the car to vibrate when driving over it. This makes it less attractive to overtake cyclists. In this way, cyclists get more space and feel safer.
Through-cycling in the Kop of North Holland
Sportlaan is part of the regional through-cycle route. This runs from Texel, via Den Helder to Julianadorp, Anna Paulowna, and Schagen. In Schagen, the route splits. There is a route to Heerhugowaard along the N241 and a route via the N245, which runs through Tuitjenhorn and Warmenhuizen to Alkmaar.
Through-cycle routes are direct, attractive, and safe interconnected cycling routes. They connect villages and cities and make destinations such as work and shopping locations, schools, recreational areas, and public transport hubs more accessible for cyclists from both inside and outside the city. The realization of the through-cycle route increases safety for all users of the cycle path as well as for residents. This makes it attractive to use the bike for both short distances and longer distances (up to approximately 15 kilometers).
