More space, fewer stops, and better service: Aalborg gets its first bicycle-highway

More space, fewer stops, and better service for cyclists. That is the goal Aalborg Municipality is aiming to complete over the next three years. There will be an upgrade to the super-cycling route between Nytorv and Aalborg University.

Aalborg Municipality writes in a press release.

“We are now tackling the first stage in the University area.

That means the route from Hadsundvej to Bertil Ohlins Vej will be straighter, wider, and more bicycle-friendly.  At the same time, we plan to make wide paths along Bertil Ohlins Vej for the Plusbus and the supercycle path,” Aalborg Municipality explains.

Later this year, we will focus on the path from Hadsundvej through Vejgaard and towards Humlebakken and create more space and improve the safety conditions for cyclists.”

The councilor in the City and Landscape Administration, Hans Henrik Henriksen, is pleased that the project is underway:

“The route between Nytorv and the University is one of the busiest and most congested corridors for cyclists and commuters.  Therefore we must give something extra to make it attractive to be a cyclist.  A supercycle highway is meant to create more space for cyclists all through the city.  We hope this will encourage even more to grab their bikes and go.”

Some facts about the supercycle highway

A supercycle highway is a route designed with special considerations, including safety, comfort, extra space, and accessibility. This means, for example, one-way paths are, as a principle rule, 2.5 m wide with as few stops as possible and additional service facilities along the route.

The supercycle bike paths prioritize the safety of the commuters and aim to minimize accident-prone conditions.

The project holds a significant price tag of about 40 million Danish kroner where 1/3 is covered by the Ministry of Transport’s supercycle grant.  Aalborg Municipality received a commitment for support in 2015. However, coordination and construction conditions prevented the project from starting until 2019.

There are many supercycle paths across municipalities. These tend to be spread throughout the metropolitan areas – the goal being to create safe and quick commutes to surrounding areas.

Below is the preliminary timeline:

2021: University area, Hadsundvej, Nytorv, Samsøgade Nord

2022: University area, Samsøgade Syd, Nytorv, Bonnesensgade

2023: Østerbro