Tactical Urbanism to Develop Cycling Infrastructures: The Implementation of COVID Cycle Lanes in Switzerland

Details

Ressource 1Download: Cycling through the pandemic Chapter.pdf (927.56 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_DABF30E3A7D0
Type
A part of a book
Publication sub-type
Chapter: chapter ou part
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Tactical Urbanism to Develop Cycling Infrastructures: The Implementation of COVID Cycle Lanes in Switzerland
Title of the book
Cycling Through the Pandemic Tactical Urbanism and the Implementation of Pop-Up Bike Lanes in the Time of COVID-19
Author(s)
Widmer Hannah, Guinard Noëlle, Rérat Patrick
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
ISBN
9783031453076
9783031453083
ISSN
2365-757X
2365-7588
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Editor
Ortar Nathalie, Rérat Patrick
Series
The Urban Book Series
Pages
89-112
Language
english
Abstract
After the first COVID-19 wave, the end of the first lockdown represented a window of opportunity to develop vélomobility and to reallocate car space. In this context, Geneva and Lausanne implemented new, pop-up cycle infrastructures that came to be known as ‘COVID cycle lanes’. While such processes were time-specific, local authorities seem to have learned new ways of intervening and experimenting with public spaces in terms of temporary urbanism. It is worth noting, however, that most other Swiss cities did not take such measures. First, this chapter analyses how and why Geneva and Lausanne played tactically with the legal framework in order to implement COVID cycle lanes. We identify the conditions that made such measures possible (urgency, the low quality of existing cycling infrastructures, ‘political champions’, and a desire to develop cycling). We then turn to the way the new cycle lanes were received, including oppositions (mainly from right-wing conservative milieus, car lobbyists, and retailers). Finally, we analyse the reasons for which other cities—such as Lucerne and Zurich—did not implement such measures, despite demands from some local organizations and politicians.
Keywords
cycling, COVID-19, Tactical urbanism, Mobility, Planning, Infrastructure, Cycling policy
Open Access
Yes
Create date
01/12/2023 9:15
Last modification date
12/01/2024 8:22
Usage data