Three new regional bicycle routes have been officially opened in Riga — in the directions of Babīte and Piņķi, Ulbroka, and Ķekava. City authorities stated that the development of bicycle infrastructure will continue: at least 27 kilometers of new bicycle paths are planned to be built in the capital this year.
The Riga City Council allocated €21.18 million for the construction of three bicycle routes over the past year. As noted by the Chairwoman of the Committee on Urban Environment and Mobility, Marta Kotello, the projects not only created bicycle infrastructure but also improved the surrounding areas.
Thus, new sidewalks, benches, bins, bike parking, trees were planted, and additional measures to enhance traffic safety were implemented near the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia. Similar work has been carried out in other areas, especially towards Imanta and Ulbroka.
According to Kotello, new routes have appeared not only in the city center but also in the neighborhoods, making movement more convenient for residents of various districts of the capital. Additionally, during the implementation of the projects, intersections were reconstructed, improving traffic conditions for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike.
Photo LETA.
She emphasized that the new facilities reflect Riga's ongoing commitment to developing modern urban mobility.
This year, reconstruction of the bicycle path and pedestrian sidewalks on the November 11th waterfront will also begin.
Moreover, construction work in Vecaki will start in August or, at the latest, in September. The new section will connect Riga's bicycle network with the already constructed bicycle path in the direction of Carnikava built by the Adazi municipality. Currently, the route ends at the capital's border, and cyclists must navigate a sandy section, making it impossible to use the trail in its entirety.
The development of bicycle infrastructure is also ongoing in the city center. The repair of Dzirnavu Street will soon be completed, where bicycle lanes will be equipped on both sides.
Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs emphasized that the new bicycle routes are not just roads for cyclists but part of modern urban infrastructure.
According to him, many European cities implemented similar projects many years ago, so Riga needs to continue moving in this direction. He acknowledged that authorities might be criticized for the rapid development of the bicycle network; however, he believes that 27 kilometers of new infrastructure is just the beginning and the city requires significantly more.
Kleinbergs is confident that a quality urban environment and convenient bicycle routes will encourage residents to use bicycles more often and spend more time in Riga.
Elina Šiminja-Neverovska, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, noted that the 52 kilometers of bicycle infrastructure built in Riga and the suburbs have become an important foundation for further network development. According to her, residents of the suburbs will now be able to safely travel to the capital by bicycle.
She also emphasized that the project has become an example of successful cooperation among several municipalities in creating a unified transport infrastructure that does not end at administrative borders. Individual bicycle paths, she said, enhance the safety of all road users, including motorists.
Before the official opening of the new routes, a joint bicycle ride took place with the participation of the Mayor of Riga, representatives of the Latvian Cycling Federation, and the women's cycling community Latvian Cycling Girls.
As previously reported, a unified network of bicycle infrastructure with a total length of 52 kilometers has been created in Riga and the suburbs. €34.51 million was allocated for the implementation of the projects from the European Union Recovery Fund.
The projects for the construction, reconstruction, and modernization of bicycle paths were implemented by Riga, as well as the municipalities of Ropaži, Ķekava, Mārupe, and Ādaži. Of the total funding, Riga received €21.18 million, Ropaži €3.3 million, Ķekava €3.25 million, Mārupe €2.88 million, and Ādaži €3.9 million.
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