Shifting gears: Why we need to plan for more bicycles and less cars

In today's society, with the increasing climate change and environmental challenges, the bicycle is considered an increasingly important means of transport to reduce car use. The Swedish Transport Administration stated that increased cycling entails great benefits for society, not least for the environment. Hence, cycling should be given increasing priority in planning, but this is not always the case. 

How cycling infrastructure is planned and what is classified as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ cycling infrastructure can differ between municipalities and is dependent on the size and planning approaches of each municipality. Our research project, Planning Strategic Cycling Infrastructure, which was managed by the Department of Technology and Society at Lund University (LTH) in collaboration with Malmö University and the Swedish Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), deals with these issues. 

About the research studies

The purpose of one of the studies, within the research project, was to analyse how the municipalities, today, work with the planning of strategic cycling infrastructure in Sweden and what opportunities and obstacles planners face in their work on these issues. Specifically, this study focused on which measures are deemed most important – by an official with responsibility and commitment to cycling – to increase cycling and the experience of having such measures implemented. We conducted an interview study among 16 planners and officials in municipalities and regions that participate in Swedish Bicycle Cities (Svenska Cykelstäder) – an organisation comprising 31 municipalities and four regions, purposefully focused on increased and safer cycling. The interviews also touched on the opportunities and difficulties for the municipalities to implement strategic cycling infrastructure in Sweden. The study provided recommendations for municipalities on how they could progress the issues and overcome any difficulties.

What we learned from the research

One conclusion from the interview study is that the car norm is still strong. An illustration of this, is that it is problematic to improve and develop the infrastructure for cycling at the expense of the car. However, the possibilities are much greater to prioritise cycling in new construction where familiar patterns and routines that are otherwise difficult to change, have not yet been established. This can be seen as an opportunity to improve the cycling infrastructure in Swedish municipalities, at least in new development projects. Another conclusion is that some municipalities, despite difficulties, are at the forefront of the work of promoting cycling and that they, on a relatively broad front, are actively working with measures for increased cycling. This includes improved and additional cycling infrastructure in the form of cycle paths and parking; measures to prioritise cycling over car use, as well as behavioural measures. We also observed that there are municipalities that despite being members of Swedish Bicycle Cities, have not prioritised cycling as part of their traffic policy agendas.

What should we be planning for in the future?

Based on our research, a recommendation is the need to introduce national standards for the design and planning of strategic cycling infrastructure. This would lead to more cohesive cycling planning in Sweden. Furthermore, municipalities and regions should, to a greater extent, plan for denser buildings and a good mix of services (e.g. schools, pre-schools, shopping, health centres) in residential areas that lead to shorter distances and facilitate cycling more easily. 

Cycle planning should also, to a greater extent than today, be anchored in all strategic planning and policy documents, such as zoning plans, transport/mobility strategies, traffic safety strategies, mobility plans and parking standards. This would lead to a wider acceptance of cycle planning and increase awareness of the importance of cycling for a sustainable transport system. What is also required to increase the importance of the bicycle is to reduce the importance of the car in strategic planning and policy documents. Greater focus should thus be on sustainable means of transport and, above all, bicycles.

To create a sustainable transport system and reduce CO2 emissions, we need to reduce the car's importance in planning and instead highlight the role of the bicycle in planning infrastructure and prioritise cycling infrastructure. In order to do that the current car culture needs to be addressed and changed.

Till Koglin, Senior Lecturer at Lund University

Jens Alm, Senior Researcher at VTI

Further reading

Cox, P. & Koglin, T. (eds.) (2020) The politics of cycling infrastructure: Spaces and (in)equality. Policy Press, Bristol
Pucher, J. & Buehler, R. (eds.) (2021) Future of Cycling. MIT Press, Cambridge