Politician urges shifting motorway billions to cycle paths

Denmark should redirect much of the money earmarked for new roads to cycling and public transport, an Alternative transport spokesperson says. The proposal comes as several parties say the three billion kroner set aside for cycle paths is not enough, DR reports.

In rural areas, cyclists and cars often have to share the road. With only 20 centimetres between the verge and passing traffic in some places, cycling can feel unsafe, putting people off using their bikes. The problem can also make journeys to school feel dangerous, the article reports.

Elise Sydendal of Alternative wants the state to take greater responsibility for funding cycle paths. She says it is a problem that residents’ access to safe routes depends largely on the finances of their municipality, while municipalities are expected to cover half the cost of many projects.

In Vordingborg, building a cycle path on each side of a country road costs about 5.5 million kroner per kilometre, according to the article. Sydendal says the state should increase its funding, particularly in rural areas. She said she would like to see nearly all of the 50 billion kroner allocated to new road projects, including motorways, redirected to cycling and public transport.

Hans Kristian Skibby, transport spokesperson for the Denmark Democrats, says demand for cycle-path projects is growing and many municipalities are willing to contribute. But there is not enough money in the funding pools to meet requests from all 98 municipalities, he says. He did not identify where additional funding should come from.

Social Democrat Kasper Roug says it is difficult to judge whether the existing three billion kroner is enough, but notes that more municipalities apply for funding than can receive it. He says it may be worth considering whether the pool should be larger, and that funding should reach rural municipalities where cycling infrastructure is weakest.

Jens Peter Hansen, chair of the Danish Cyclists’ Federation, says people will not take up cycling if they feel unsafe. More cycle paths could help address both public health concerns and congestion in the cities people commute to, he says.