The cycle path, with kerbs, on Vajanského Embankment. (source: TASR)
The controversial cycling path along the Danube River in Bratislava’s Old Town remains unchanged along with kerbs, despite last year’s reservations of the Transport Ministry. The capital city objected to the ministry’s challenges within the legal deadline and is waiting for further actions of the ministry, Peter Bubla, Bratislava’s spokesman, told the TASR newswire.
“We see no reason to impose a fine [on the city], we are waiting for further steps by the ministry,” said Bubla, adding that the ministry’s call does not impose an obligation to carry out the measure, but it is a voluntary compliance.
Bratislava city may face a €33,000 fine if it fails to remove kerbs and narrow its cycle path.
City refuses to alter kerbs
The city council continues to consider it important that cyclists are protected from cars as far as possible. It recalls that this is also the case in other countries. It does not consider the kerbs to which the ministry objected to be a traffic barrier as they are properly designated as a traffic guidance device. The Regional Traffic Inspectorate must have considered them as such, and gave its approval to the entire project, it claims.
“However, we want to install a different type of separator that will still adequately protect cyclists who ride this route, including families with children,” Bubla noted, indicating the more than 40,000 bicycle rides via this route per month during the season.
The city council also touts other benefits associated with the bike route. It mentions a significant decrease in conflict situations between pedestrians and cyclists on the promenade, the withdrawal of transit cycling traffic from Hviezdoslavovo Square and the Fajnorovo Nábrezie embankment, improved pedestrian safety when crossing at the level of Kúpeľná Street, as well as the safer crossing of pedestrians and cyclists under the SNP Bridge. It also sees this as an important step towards a better connection between the historic centre and the waterfront, which has been addressed for years.
Government silent for now
The Transport Ministry does not want to comment on the matter yet.
“Due to the current stage of the proceedings in this matter, it is not possible to comment further for the time being,” said Petra Poláčiková, the ministry’s spokesperson.
Transport Minister Jozef Ráž (Smer nominee) stated last year in early October that the capital city will have to change the cycling route. The capital was to remove kerbs from the cycling path within 40 days, which the Transport Ministry said were causing accidents, and narrow the cycling path in places where it was restricting the road within 90 days.
In the past, the cycling route has been met with both criticism and positive feedback. Bratislava Mayor Matúš Vallo has reiterated that he does not regret its creation, which, according to him, is confirmed by the number of cyclists. However, he admitted that the topic could have been communicated much better and the cycling route should not have opened in autumn.
