Silje has to cycle slalom between the pedestrians in the cycle lane: – It’s incomprehensible that accidents don’t happen more often

Silje Aasnes cycles over the Tromsø bridge every day, on her way to work in the home care service in Tromsø municipality. Here she constantly experiences pedestrians on the north-facing route on the bridge; the narrow field reserved for cyclists.

Pedestrians must walk on the other side of the bridge. But it is not always that this is perceived or respected.

Slalom cycling

– In between, there are so many pedestrians in the cycle lane that we cyclists have to slalom between them. And the tourists who go there seem surprised that cyclists come in “hut and weather”, she says, and adds that it is almost incomprehensible to her if accidents do not happen in the cycle lane regularly.

She believes that it must be particularly difficult for cyclists who want to speed over the bridge – and for pedestrians who meet the “speed lovers”.

Aasnes believes that the biggest challenges come with pedestrians coming over the bridge from the busy side in Tromsdalen, where a throng of soft road users – mainly tourists on their way from, among other things, the Arctic Cathedral and the Sherpa stairs – contributes to a sometimes confusing traffic situation.

She believes that the problem can go a long way towards being solved with better and more comprehensive signage.

– Now there is only one sign showing that the route is only for cyclists, and it is in the middle of the bend. The asphalt is also marked, but it is not visible in the winter, says Aasnes, who thinks that, among other things, it should have been marked a little further on the bridge.

– We have received more feedback

Aasnes’ wishes may turn out to be fulfilled – because according to manager Tor Ivar Johnsen at the section for operation and maintenance in Troms county municipality, his employees are in the process of looking at the situation at the Tromsø bridge.

– It is nothing new that the conditions on the mainland side of the Tromsø Bridge are difficult. We have received several feedbacks about dangerous situations there, says the unit manager, and explains that both signage and lighting are among the conditions that must be assessed and possibly improved.

– We must find a solution to guide the pedestrians onto the correct side of the bridge, and ensure a safer traffic flow than we have now, he says, and adds that the improvements will be made in collaboration with Tromsø municipality, which owns land in the relevant area.

– When will we see these improvements?

– It is currently too early to say anything concrete about this, says the section leader.

– A Tromsø problem

Although Silje Aasnes cycles both to and from work in home care in Tromsø municipality, she uses a car a lot for work. It is not only on the Tromsø Bridge that she believes there are problems for cyclists.

– It is a Tromsø problem that it is poorly organized for cyclists. This means that motorists also get irritated by greens, she claims – and means by this to imply that with better arrangements for cyclists, motorists will also gain more understanding and patience with cyclists.

She is particularly thinking of icy and snowy pavements, which force cyclists onto rutted roads. Here, she believes, dangerous situations arise between cyclists and motorists. She also experiences that many cyclists keep a high speed – especially on major “main roads” – and that this requires a great deal of vigilance from motorists, who often have to brake suddenly when entering from minor side roads.

The solution must be better marking of dangerous road junctions and more signs showing cyclists where to cycle, she believes.

Blame it on the snow

Engineer Regine Ada Aasjord Møkleby at the section for urban development in Tromsø municipality writes in an e-mail to iTromsø that there are large amounts of snow and changing weather in Tromsø.

– Last year it snowed approximately six meters in total. In periods, there are very large amounts of snow and then it is impossible to fulfill all expectations of optimal operation, writes Møkleby, and uses the opportunity to praise the section for Urban Operations in the municipality.

– They make an enormous effort with snow plowing, spreading and other winter tasks. We are proud of the work that is done. There is a lot of road to be plowed. Snow and ice are also a challenge in all Norwegian cities, we have seen a lot about this in the media recently, she writes.

And to Aasnes and Tromsø’s other cyclists, the engineer has the following appeal:

– Where there are cycle paths or other roads that are designed for cyclists, signs have been put up in accordance with the road standards. In addition to this, cyclists must comply with the traffic rules in the same way as all other road users.