Photo: Florianopolis City Hall/DisclosureLong considered a leisure and physical activity, the bicycle is increasingly becoming a viable and sustainable mobility option compared to traditional means of transport. Bicycles are already the preferred mode of transport for 7% of Brazilians, according to CET (Traffic Engineering Company).
According to Aliança Bike, 3.77 million units were sold in the country last year. To meet this growth and further stimulate activity, the Municipality of Florianópolis is investing, among other things, in expanding the cycling network. From 2016 to this year, the length of these structures has increased from 75.2 km to an impressive 222.83 km in the capital of Santa Catarina, an increase of 196.32%.
Currently, more than 30 km of cycle paths connect, for example, the Estreito area with Joaquin Beach. By bike you can get to the Center, from the Center to UFSK (Federal University SC), and from the university to the beach.
The investment also includes Lagoa da Conceição. In the locality where the binary will be implemented, Rua Mandala will now have a bicycle route to connect the bi-directional Rendeiras bicycle path with another structure of the same type to be implemented on the new route being built in the area. This, in turn, would be practically connected to the unidirectional bike path of Joaquina’s general road, as it would be enough to cross the avenue in this case. On the road under construction, the bike path will be on the right, towards the beaches of the East.
Commission to discuss urban mobility in the capital
In order to assist in the safe and dynamic development of the cycling network, the municipality has also relaunched Pró-Bici, a commission created in cooperation with cycling organizations. The group consists of representatives and their deputies from each district of the capital, who will participate in two-week meetings. These meetings, the mayor’s office explains, will serve as a bridge between civil society and government in order to jointly optimize the city’s urban mobility.
To further promote the culture of cycling as a means of transport, the City Hall has also released the first edition of the Guidelines for the Design and Implementation of a Cycling Space available for public comment. The document will serve as a guide and model for the implementation of cycle paths, cycle paths, cycle paths and common areas, ensuring the standardization and quality of cycle path structures in Florianopolis.
+pedal program
Another initiative to inform and engage the community is the launch of the Programa +Pedal website. The platform provides an interactive map showing more than 224 km of different types of cycling areas in Florianopolis. Members of the Pro Beach Commission and other city residents will be able to actively collaborate to improve cycling infrastructure by submitting photos and descriptions of spaces in need of repair.
Michel Mittmann, secretary of planning and urban analytics for Florianopolis, emphasizes that these measures are necessary in order to help reduce traffic congestion and reduce the city’s pollutant emissions, making Florianopolis more sustainable and facilitating interaction between cyclists and pedestrians.
“Through these ongoing actions, we hope that the use of bicycles in Florianopolis will continue to grow and that the city will strengthen its position as one of the most active in promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly urban transport,” says the secretary.
Increased cycle network (bike lanes, lanes, bike lanes and common areas) in Florianopolis.
Photo: Florianopolis City Hall/Disclosure2016 – 75.2 km | 2023 – 222.83
196.32% increase
Source: Ndmais