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22 June 2022 | 3 min read
The Italian Government has announced a new financial policy that will support the development of bikes lanes in Italy. This is a major step forward for urban mobility, as it will make it easier for people to get around cities without having to rely on cars.
Cycling is a perfect solution for both climate change and environmental objectives, and this new policy will help promote its use. E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular, and with good reason. They are a more sustainable way to get around cities, and they also help reduce traffic congestion.
In this article, we will take a look at the new financial policy, how it will help promote cycling and e-bike usage in Italy, and how the wider European Union is facilitating this kind of project to promote sustainable urban mobility.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is the Italian section of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which is part of the European Union’s overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PNRR has set aside €30 billion for sustainable mobility projects, with a particular focus on e-mobility, public transport, and active travel such as walking and cycling.
From that fund, €200 million has been dedicated to the construction of urban cycle paths and €400 million to the construction of tourist cycle paths. The aim is to create a network of cycle paths totaling at least 565 km, which would be more than double the current length.
The funds will be used to construct new cycle paths and improve existing ones.
The construction of new cycle lanes will take into account the needs of all users, including people with disabilities.
One of the primary aims of the program is to connect universities with nearby train stations and to promote the use of bikes as a means of commuting.
The construction of new cycle paths is not the only objective of the program. In fact, a large part of the funds will be dedicated to the improvement of existing infrastructure. This will include the widening and resurfacing of existing bikes lanes, as well as the installation of new signage and lighting.
The increased focus on green mobility is part of a wider effort to improve the quality of life in urban areas. By promoting the use of bikes, the program will help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, while also improving public health.
In addition, the program is expected to create new jobs in the construction and tourism sectors. With more people cycling, there will therefore be a need for new businesses to provide services such as bike sharing services.
The program is also an important step in meeting Italy’s commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change. By investing in cycling infrastructure, the country can help to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gasses and make a positive contribution to the fight against climate change.
Shared bikes programs have been shown to be an effective way of reducing congestion, and pollution, improving air quality in urban areas, as well as providing a transportation option that is accessible and affordable for everyone.
Further investment in cycling paths and lanes is therefore a key element in the development of smooth and green urban mobility, which is essential for the future of our cities.
A Cool Example – Snapshot of the Milan Bikes Lanes project for 2035
The project foresees the coordinated and planned implementation of 24 cycling lanes throughout the territory of the Metropolitan City. This ambitious project will aim to make bikes the main means of transport for 20% of total trips.
While the environmental benefits of increased cycling are clear, it is important to note that the socio-economic benefits are just as great.
A recent study from the Cycling Embassy of Denmark found out that every euro invested in cycling infrastructure generated up to six times more in health and societal benefits than it cost. The study also found that, on average, each person who bikes regularly saves society around 600 euros per year.
With these benefits in mind, it is clear that investing in cycling infrastructure is a smart move for any city or country looking to create a sustainable and prosperous socio-economic effect.
Just think about the 150 million from the EU Next Generation for the construction of cycle paths in urban and metropolitan areas to connect train stations to universities. This is one of the most considerable measures on urban cycling in Italy in addition to the EUR 4.2 million already allocated by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility for the first six pilot station-university cycle connection projects in the cities of Rome, Milan, Bari, Palermo, Pisa and Padua.
If we look at this initiative with an analytical lens:
Hence the opportunity not only to improve the urban infrastructure but to enable thousands of students to reach their university campus in an easy, sustainable, and healthy way.
The new EU financial policy is a response to the unprecedented health and economic challenges caused by COVID-19. It will contribute toward making Europe a pioneer in responsible and sustainable transformation so that it can meet the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal.
One of the key objectives of the new financial policy is to support the transition to a climate-neutral economy. This means investing in renewable energy, green infrastructure, and sustainable transport.
Cycling is a perfect solution for all of these concerns, as it is a low-carbon form of transport that also has health and social benefits.
It is encouraging to see that the Italian government has recognized this and is investing in cycling and e-bike infrastructure. Hopefully, this will encourage both entrepreneurs to launch e-bike sharing services, and citizens to cycle, leading to less congestion and pollution in cities.
Sales and Marketing Associate at 2hire
I love running and daydreaming losing count of the distance I’m covering, cooking (and especially eating) and Drake is my spirit guide.
