Build four cycle routes. Investing in road safety. More money for bicycle paths in cities and in bicycle paths between the centres, villages, cities and important functions. And invest in recreational cycle paths. The province wants to allocate 22.5 million euros for these four themes.
By far the most money goes to the construction of four cycle routes. That is about 12.5 million euros. But what are cycle routes? The province describes it as follows: ‘These are comfortable, wide and recognizable routes on busy routes that optimally facilitate cyclists so that at distances of up to 20 kilometers more people opt for a bicycle instead of a car.’
The province wants to build four cycle routes in the period up to 2027. This will make it more attractive for people to cycle to the city. The province says that the number of cyclists will increase by an average of about 30 percent due to the construction of such a bicycle route.
Three possible routes
There are three areas where the province believes that a cycle route can be realized in the short term. A connection from Meppel to Hoogeveen is being considered, but a connection from Meppel to Zwolle or Steenwijk (via the Nieuwveense Landen) is also an option. In Southeast Drenthe, Emmen and Coevorden are being looked at. For North Drenthe, the focus is mainly on Assen and Groningen, for example a connection from Roden to Groningen or a route from Gieten, via Zuidlaren to Groningen.
Municipalities are also being considered for financing this. That contribution is already included in the 12.5 million euros.
More bikes, more accidents
The province wants more people to cycle (more often). In ten years’ time, the number of times that Drenthe use the bicycle must increase by 20 percent. Currently, 24 percent of all journeys are made by bicycle. That is below the national average of 28 percent. Most journeys in the province are made by car: 57 percent.
But with the increase in the number of bicycle rides, the number of accidents also increases. In 2016 there were about 100 bicycle accidents, which has now increased to more than 150 accidents last year. However, there has been a sharp decline in recent years. In 2017 there were about 275 bicycle accidents, but the last three years it has been fairly stable at around 150 accidents. Incidentally, many bicycle accidents are not registered, which means that the actual number is probably higher.
“Unfortunately, we see that the number of seriously injured road victims continues to increase, especially among cyclists, and that the decrease in the number of road deaths is stagnating,” the province writes. That is why it makes an amount available for each municipality. With that money, measures can be taken to improve road safety for cyclists. These include the application of markings and lighting, the widening of cycle paths or the construction or improvement of safe crossings for 50, 80 or 100 kilometers of roads. The province comes with a total amount of 5 million euros.
Improving cycle paths
In addition, the province wants to allocate 2.5 million euros to expand the bicycle network. These are the bicycle paths at neighborhood level and bicycle connections between the centres, villages and cities. The province wants to expand the current network by building about 50 kilometers of new bicycle paths. Cycle paths in school routes will be given priority.
The province wants to allocate another 2.5 million euros to invest in recreational bicycle paths, especially in nature reserves. Together with municipalities, site managers and the Recreation Board Drenthe, the province wants to examine whether bicycle paths should be widened or paved.
The provincial council has yet to discuss the plans of the province.