Deputy Mayor Prof Janez Koželj and City of Ljubljana Cycling Co-ordinator Janez Bertoncelj showcased Ljubljana’s achievements and aspirations in the field of cycling in Ljubljana at the largest international cycling conference Velo-city 2013 in Vienna.

Between 11 and 14 June, the Velo-city 2013 cycling conference was held in Vienna with numerous accompanying events. The conference subtitle was ‘The Sound of Cycling – Urban cycling culture’ and brought together 1,200 city representatives, decision makers, politicians, transport planners, engineers, experts from the fields of transport, mobility, health and social sciences from various corners of the world. Deputy Mayor Prof Janez Koželj and City of Ljubljana Cycling Co-ordinator Janez Bertoncelj were among them to showcase our achievements in the field of sustainable mobility in Ljubljana with special emphasis on cycling.

Cycling as part of Ljubljana’s DNA

Along with City of Ljubljana Spatial Management and Urban Planning Committee member Blaž Lokar MA, Prof Janez Koželj presented the gradual systematic approach to making cycling part of Ljubljana’s DNA. They highlighted some of the projects and actions that are significant contributors to meeting the objective.

New mobility values are reflected in the receipt of public and political support for cycling. One of the most successful projects for the promotion of cycling is certainly the Bicike(LJ) self-service bike borrowing system. We are also planning improved infrastructure, new bridges for cyclists, links between thus-far disconnected cycling routes and other measures that will be based on efficiency, safety, better accessibility and connectivity. Altogether, the measure taken so far have led to the achievement of the share of journeys made by bike having increased by 27% since 2009, while we expect that up to 2015 a range of new measures will see us record a 40% growth.

Coexistence of pedestrians and cyclists

In Vienna, Janez Bertoncelj discussed cycling in pedestrian zones in his contribution ‘You walk, I cycle – coexistence of pedestrians and cyclists in pedestrian zones’ which arises from the currently ongoing Champ cycling project. The tolerant coexistence of pedestrians and cyclists in the urban environment is undoubtedly highly important, especially in pedestrian zones, where the use of vehicles and other forms of mobility is limited in space and time and is usually governed by relevant regulations in force. The theme is especially important for Ljubljana, as pedestrian zones have greatly expanded in recent years and are a common space for these two groups of users.

Broadly, cycling in these areas can be managed by spatial or temporal restrictions, a combination of both or neither of these restrictions; such that pedestrians and cyclists adhere to the principle of shared space in pedestrian zones and the unwritten rules of mutual respect. In some places, the coexistence of both groups of users does not represent a particular problem, while in others conflicts are frequent and disruptive such that coexistence based on tolerance by both groups of public space users is accompanied by mobility and communication noise. Is it even possible to find a universal solution for every urban space regardless of historical, cultural and traffic habits? All of this raises many other questions to which we tried to find answers at a workshop as part of Project Champ at the end of May, and the Cycling Co-ordinator also presented the results of this meeting to the foreign public in Vienna.

Further information about Velo-city 2013 is available on its website.