Bologna fast-tracks implementation of “Bicipolitana” bike network strategy

Bologna has announced plans to speed up the implementation of a large bike network across the city in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As with other cities, it was recognised that there is a need to support active modes of travel whilst public transport is restricted to avoid an unwanted increase in private car use. The 'Bicipolitana' network, announced at the end of April by the metropolitan Mayor Virginio Merola, will see already-planned bike lanes fast-tracked to allow people to travel safely and hygienically as lockdown measures are eased in Italy. The Bicipolitana network will consist of 493 km of cycle lanes integrated across the city. The project was already set out in the city's Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) and has some sections already completed and other sections in progress, whilst others are yet to be rolled out. Whilst the original plan was to complete this network by 2030, construction of some sections of the network will now be brought forward, accompanied by some temporary measures on the planned network, to allow people get travel around safely as lockdown measures are eased. It is planned for 60% of the network to be completed in 2020.