Council acts to improve safety of cyclists

The city council has announced it has commissioned a masterplan to show how best to improve safety for children on the most frequented cycle-paths to school. In so doing, it is responding to a proposal by the Alternative CSP party.
 
It was actually back in 2014 that this party called on the city council to improve the safety of cycle-paths in the city, especially in those areas of greater population and between individual buildings of secondary schools, including the Music School.
 
The city council recognised there were indeed areas where improvements were needed. It also felt it was right that children should be encouraged to use cycles, not least because it was hoped they might stick to this form of transport in the future, and, as a result, help to reduce the number of cars in the city. What is more, the council considered cycling a cheap and healthy way of getting around.
 
This “Bike to School” masterplan, which has been worked out jointly by representatives of the canton, the city, the Alternative CSP party, the Pro Velo Association and a Zurich-based engineering company, shows where improvements are needed with adaptations to be carried out in stages accordingly.
 
For example, over the next two years, cyclists will be able to benefit from new clear markings on Dammstrasse near the station, on Alpenstrasse near the Music School and by the Aabachstrasse and Allmendstrasse roundabouts. Then, additional protective islands are to be set up where Ägeristrasse meets up with Löberenstrasse and on Rosenbergweg, too. In a more complex reconfiguration, there will be a change of priority at the Gotthardstrasse-Grafenaustrasse crossroads.
 
As to how much all these improvements will cost, councillor Urs Raschle said it was too soon to say, but he emphasised that they would all be part of a long-term, sustainable solution to current weak spots for cyclists.
 
Green-party councillor Tabea Zimmermann Gibson was delighted that action was at last being taken in this way, helping cyclists to be able to proceed more safely and quickly through the city, without constantly having to stop, get off, and push their chosen form of transport over some busy junction or other obstacle.