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Velolev

Focus area: Mitigation
Website
Location: Lviv, Ukraine
Established: January 2011

Lviv has taken the strategic decision to develop cycling as a regular mode of transport via improved cycling infrastructure and active promotion of cycling as a modern, clean and truly European mode of transport. This will make Lviv a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable place for its citizens and guests and will also help save CO2-emissions.

Today, less than 2% of Lviv's citizens use a bicycle, but it is expected that this share can climb to Western European levels. Lviv is using a systemic, comprehensive approach to develop cycling infrastructure and to improve the enviromeent for cyclists in a comprehensive way.

  • Establishment of regular working group;

  • Development of 9-year implementation plan for the set-up of cycling infrastructure;  

  • Position of cycling advisor as focal point;

  • Development of technical recommendations;

  • Seed investment by city council;

  • Use of EURO2012-preparation;

  • Active promotion.

Lviv is also expanding the cooperation with other cycling cities world-wide.
By the end of 2011, 15 km of new cycling infrastructure had been built. Lviv is the first Ukrainian city with a comprehensive approach towards the development of cycling. The comprehensive and innovative approach is of great interest to other cities in Ukraine and beyond.

Mitigation / Adaptation

The comprehensive development of cycling with a full scale network of 270 km in Lviv/Ukraine will reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector by 111,600 tonnes per year in 2030, compared to the BAU-scenario. The cumulative reduction from 2020 to 2030 amounts to 940,420 tonnes. It clearly demonstrates that SHIFT-measures, such as development of cycling, can contribute to the reduction of CO2-emissions. In addition, positive co-benefits such as reduced reliance on fossil fuels, better health, improved road safety and better affordability can be expected.

Social and environmental benefits

The development of cycling is associated with the transformation of the urban mobility paradigm. Cycling, walking and public transport development go hand in hand. This will result in positive co-benefits such as reduced reliance on fossil fuels, better health, improved road safety and better affordability can be expected.

Potential for scaling-up and replication

The lessons learnt and results from Lviv are actively communicated in other cities and on national fora. The integrated and comprehensive approach is replicable in other cities in Ukraine and beyond. The long planning horizon until 2019 ensures that urban mobility patterns will be transformed in a sustainable way and as the network grows, more and more citizens will start cycling. In terms of awareness raising, the European Mobility Week provides an excellent opportunity for numerous activities, such as bike excursions, competitions, girls-on-bikes parades and other activities. Documentation here

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