Transport, Bicycle | Building a new cycle path: Never have more Bergens cycled

– Our latest survey shows that the proportion of bicycles has increased from four to five per cent since last year. This is the highest we have measured in recent times, says cycling manager Einar Johan Grieg.

When he started his job in 2013, the proportion of cyclists in Bergen municipality was only three per cent, miles away from the politicians’ target (10 per cent). Now there is finally an improvement to track.

– I think most of the cycle traffic, which we now see through the Fyllingsdal tunnel, is newly created. But new cycle paths to the south also contribute to growth. I think the new cycle path to Sandviken will recruit even more people, says Grieg.

Construction is underway

Monday morning marked the start of construction for the new bicycle main road between Bradbenken and Glass Knag in Sandviken.

The price tag for the 2.3 kilometer long project is NOK 142 million. The excavation is already underway.

Facts: New cycle path to Sandviken

The start of construction for the Bradbenken-Glass Knag Cykkelstamveg is underway.
Price tag: NOK 142 million.
The new cycle route will stretch 2.3 kilometers via Sandvikstorget and the accident-prone Gjensidige intersection.
The cycle path will have pavements and make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
The contractor Vassbak & Stol has been awarded the contract. The company’s employees themselves use bicycles to move around the construction site.
According to the plan, it will be completed in the summer of 2026.

– According to the plan, we will be finished in the summer of 2026. During construction, the road will be open to normal traffic, but we recommend that cyclists use alternative routes, says construction manager Bjørn Rusten Lundberg from the Norwegian Road Administration.

Between 25 and 70 workers will be at work during the cycleway construction in the various phases.

– We need more

Anne Irgens (62) lives near Gamle Bergen in Sandviken. She is a keen cyclist and is happy that parts of the cycle path through the district are being improved.

– It is strange that this was not done a long time ago. If they are going to get people to cycle, it must be safe. For years I have had to cross the scary motorway and cycle over Bergenhus fortress. We need a continuous cycle path through the city center as well. Wading past the tourists at Fisketorget is terrible, says Irgens.

Class separation

Cycling manager Grieg was on hand at the Environment Promotion stand at Bryggen, where, together with Business Sports, they handed out smoothies and recruited participants for the Cycle to work campaign.

– Many express that they are looking forward to the new cycle path until Sandviken opens. It is also pleasing to see that so many people are using the temporary cycle path along Bryggen, which has been provisionally painted red, he says.

County politician Marthe Hammer (SV) believes that there has become a cycle divide in Bergen, based on where safe and modern cycle paths have been built, and where they have not.

Bergen is still a sink compared to other Norwegian big cities.

– I have noticed that in Bergen south there are many different types of cyclists, such as children and women with bicycle baskets and dogs. In the north of Bergen there are mostly “hardcore” cyclists because you have to cycle a lot on the road. Coherent and safe cycle paths are the key to getting more people to choose this option, says Hammer.

Experts have stated that it is possible to multiply the cycling share in Bergen.

– The cycle path from Bradbenken to Glas Knag is a good start, but north to Åsane we need to improve the cycle path past the Business School and build a cycle tunnel to Eidsvåg, which is planned in connection with the Bybanen, says cycle manager Einar Johan Grieg.

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