In terms of the length of bicycle paths, our city has nothing to boast about. The density is much better, although still far from ideal. However, this does not mean that the city has forgotten about building new routes.
The report of the Central Statistical Office from 2021 was not flattering for Bydgoszcz. The CSO calculated that by the end of 2020, the length of bicycle paths in the city was 115.4 km (compared to 108.7 km the previous year). In the Bydgoszcz county, the length of paths for bicycles was calculated to be 167 – 16.4 km more than in 2019. Let’s go back to the cities, according to the CSO comparison, Bydgoszcz outshines places like Chojnice, where the paths counted 196 kilometers by the end of 2020. In Łódź, there were 177 km at that time, in Lublin, which is very similar in terms of the number of residents, there were 181 km, and in Gdańsk 203 km. The leader in terms of the number of residents is Ostrołęka, with just over 51,000 residents – the bicycle paths there measured as much as 244 km at the end of 2020. Only more populous cities such as Kraków (253 km), Poznań (276 km), Wrocław (360 km), and of course Warsaw (676 km) had more.
The density of routes matters
Bydgoszcz also did not fare well in terms of calculating the number of kilometers of routes per capita. This indicator amounted to 3.35 km per 10 thousand inhabitants. It is worth adding that in the case of the county, it is much better – 13.87 km of paths per 10 thousand residents.
Collaboration – Olimpia Sports Shop Bydgoszcz: Traditional and electric Giant, Kross, Cube and other bicycles
The conversion of the density of paths to the number of kilometers was much better for Bydgoszcz. Representatives of the Bydgoszcz Critical Mass Association remind us why the Bicycle Capital of Poland Trophy has already been awarded to Nowa Sól for the third time: – According to CSO data, Nowa Sól ranks first in terms of route density. In the period from 2016 to 2019, the length of paths doubled to 75.2 km. As Sebastian Nowak, the head of the Bydgoszcz Critical Mass, emphasizes, it is important to accelerate the pace of implementation of investments, which goes hand in hand with increasing funds for the construction of cycling infrastructure.
Benefits of reconstruction
Mirosław Kozłowicz, the vice-president of Bydgoszcz, emphasizes that matters would have progressed faster if it were not for government blockades and the situation associated with local government investments. It is known that cyclists will definitely benefit from the reconstruction of Fordońska and Nakielska streets. The city is preparing to implement the concept of the Functional-Utility Program, including a bridge over the railway at Sochaczewska Street, where the completion date extends to the end of 2023. As for Nakielska Street – here, the investment has been divided into two stages – from Lisi Street to Bronikowski Street and from Bronikowski Street to Grunwaldzki Roundabout.
The Great Fordon Loop is also planned in two stages. A mountain route will be built at the foot of the Fordońskie hills, including a road for bicycles: from Dolina Śmierci to Kromera Street and from Kromera Street to the Vistula ramparts.
Additional investments
As reported by the city hall, bicycle paths have already been completed along Kruszwicka Street, from Grunwaldzki Roundabout to Poznański Square, and along Focha Street, from Grunwaldzki Roundabout to Solidarity Bridge. Work is also progressing on Smukalska Street, from Błądzimska to Rajskiej. Work is also underway to rebuild Jeździecka Street along with cycling infrastructure. Meanwhile, the completion date for the cycling infrastructure along Krasińskiego, Markwarta, Sieńki, Moniuszki, Skłodowska-Curie, and Łęczycka streets is projected for the end of 2024.
The construction of a bicycle path in Bielawy is also underway – from Wielkopolskiego Roundabout to Jurasza Street. This path will be connected to the existing cycling infrastructure and ultimately to the route along Fordońska Street.
