No Cars, Just Bikes
No Cars, Just Bikes
Your health is not the only reason the government is pushing this agenda.
Groningen, renowned for its high quality of life, offers excellent accessibility that makes car-free commuting throughout the city a comfortable option. Currently, you can travel across the entire city using only a bicycle in less than 30 minutes. However, many citizens still choose to commute by car, which produces more pollution and requires more parking and road space.
The municipality of Groningen has set a goal of promoting the use of bicycles as it is more convenient, environmentally friendly and promotes a healthier lifestyle. To achieve this goal, they have introduced the Groningen Cycling Strategy 2015–2025, which focuses on enhancing the city's reputation as the bike capital.
It is expected that the population of Groningen will grow to 270,000 people by the year 2040. These predictions are bad news for the city, as it won’t be able to handle the influx of car traffic. This growth underscores the urgent need for sustainable transportation solutions to maintain the city's high liveability standards.
The objective of this project is not to entirely eliminate cars from the streets. So if you are a car enthusiast, you will still be able to traverse on four wheels. Most of the action is focused on narrowing the streets and adding more green areas in the recovered spaces. For instance, Griffweg, Bedumerweg and Paterswoldseweg will receive a new speed limit – 30 km/h.
Pedestrian mobility is key to this urban vision. Walking, recognized as the most natural and sustainable mode of transport, is being promoted through improved infrastructure and walking routes. It gives you more time to admire the beauty of local shops, restaurants and cafés. As a result, you are more likely to enter these establishments and support local businesses, ultimately strengthening community well-being.