Bike mobility plan in Bolzano

Best Practice

Topics

• Mobility

Short description

Close attention, not only to the planning of the cycling route network connected with the bicycle hire service, but also to communication and marketing, forms the hub of the integrated plan for the development of cycling mobility in Bolzano city. The result is represented by the introduction of a promotional campaign, signpost designing and the preparation of useful informative matter.

---

Project executive

Okoinstitut Sudtirol Alto Adige, on behalf of Bolzano Municipality

---

Participants

The project was developed by the Okoinstitut Sudtirol on behalf of the Municipality of Bolzano (Council responsible for Environment and Mobility) and enjoyed the cooperation of the Constituencies, Helios Comunicazioni Audiovisive Brixen, Istituto di ricerche sociali e demoscopiche Apollis Bolzano, Libera Università di Bolzano, Accademia Europea EURAC Bolzano.

Objectives

The increase in the modal quota of urban cycling mobility from 17.5% (average figure 2002) to 25% (in absolute terms, from 59.000 to about 85.000 transfers) was the guiding line of the Plan. The achievement of this aim makes it possible to improve the environmental situation (through less urban traffic pollution) and, on a wider scale, the quality of life in Bolzano city, resulting in clearly positive results for the city’s image on a national and international level.

Activities

The Plan has, above all, led to a network of cycling tracks being traced out, made up of 8 main thoroughfares and a series of byways, and has carried out widespread works with the aim of making the whole city bicycle friendly. Furthermore, a plan was developed for increasing in number and quality bike parking lots, and the bicycle hire service was renewed and improved. Communication, information and marketing activities received close attention. In this regard a new corporate identity was created for cycling mobility (with a logo and a design for everything connected with cycling mobility), together with a pocket map of the cycling tracks technologically called a Z-card), a highly informative signpost system (with the main cycling tracks outlined in different colours and indications of the places of greatest interest). Furthermore, marketing campaigns were carried out through mega-prints in the city, poster campaigns on buses, postcard campaigns and several advertising spots in the cinemas.

Process

There is no information available.

Results

To date a notable increase has been achieved in the modal quota of cycling mobility, which has reached an average of 20-21% (this means having reached 50% of the general aims of the Plan, the intention being to bring the said indicator to 25%). Above all, the new signposting has created the perception that Bolzano now enjoys a fully-fledged cycling mobility system, possessing the same importance and dignity of other mobility systems.

Evaluation

Research was carried out during 2005 on citizen mobility so as to verify the Plan’s impact on behaviour. Mobility studies during the winter of 2005 have shown that cycling mobility has increased by 33%, compared to the same period in 2002, and that this figure was actually doubled in the 0 to 24 year old age group

Difficulties

There is no information available.

Budget

116.626 (Euro)

Financial backer

Bozen Municipality and European Union (Project “Emotions”).

Source of information

Competition

Participant at the 2005 Future in the Alps competition

Homepage

http://www.oekoinstitut.it/mobilitade_articolo.php?id=113 http://www.comune.bolzano.it/context.jsp?ID_LINK=1199&area=19

Publication

-

Project executive as above

Contact person as above

Comments

Impact on nature and environment

As regards energy saving, the bicycle is the most efficient form of transport. In fact, every increase in cycling mobility, in so far as it means a parallel reduction in the use of private cars, results in a lessening of pollution in the urban atmosphere.

Economic value added

Positive repercussions on the bicycle market. Every family in Bolzano owns an average of 2.4 bicycles (a total of 82.000 bikes in the whole city). Promotion of the “quality” image which results from a more liveable, less polluted urban environment may represent in the medium term a competitive factor for the entire city economy.

Socio-cultural value added

More widespread use of the bicycle obviously improves the health of the citizens, the bike being a means of transport used by all.

Innovative content

The importance given in the Plan to communication and marketing aspect, which has helped to make the use of the bicycle be seen as a factor of positive distinction.

Good governance

The Plan’s success, assessed from the specific studies carried out, shows a high level of participation by all the citizen. These recognised the main objectives behind the plan and actively worked for them to be reached.

PR impact

The public communication and involvement campaign was one of the most important issues of the Plan.

Multiplier effect / networking

Potential effects related to the Bike’s selling, repair and rent business.

Transferability

The know-how developed within the framework of the Bolzano project can easily be transferred to other cities. Similar projects have already been set up in Verona and Trent.

Remarks

-

Further information