TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY DISCUSSED AT THE URBAN POLICY CONGRESS

Experts discussed pedestrians and cyclists safety in the city

One day - one victim

2018 saw  377 pedestrians killed in Polish cities - 207 of them are more than 65 years old. There were  98 cyclists on top of that. This is only cities-related data.  Twice as many died on other roads.  Why do we face so many tragedies?  Experts gathered at Targi Kielce tried to explain the phenomena - .

- The road offence fines’ level in Poland is to small. . Everyone knows that fines are designed to discipline driver -  the top fine has been PLN 500 for 22 years.  This should be at least 3000 zlotys - said Tomasz Tosza, Deputy Director of the Municipal Road and Bridge Authority in Jaworzno.  He presented a video which showed solutions were implemented in Jaworzno. These significantly affected the quality of pedestrian traffic. - This can be done. Fines can also be avoided. All you have to do is follow the rules.  For example, a pilot who violates aviation regulations will lose their license. The same should hold true for drivers. Now they are not appropriately penalised - added Mr. Tosza.

There was the  "zero fatalities vision" presented.  At the city level, effective implementation of this philosophy requires: a long-term action plan adoption based on research results and proven practices, the involvement and close cooperation of various municipal institutions, and inclusion in the local community program.

 Cargo bikes

It's hard to imagine a courier delivering a parcel by bike, though   western countries   have seen this as a regular practice.  - About 80 percent of the deliveries we order could fit on cargo bikes - said Hubert Barański from the Normal City Phenomenon Foundation. People are increasingly adhering to this mode of transport and a bike plays a role in various areas of life. The German federal government provides  2.5 thousand euros   electric bicycles support (no more than 30% of the eligible value) . Munich, Heidelberg, Regensburg, Berlin and Bamberg have subsidised all cargo bikes up to the level of 1/3 of the equipment value.

Urban modernizations

Arkadiusz Pacholski also talked about the roundabouts disadvantages, in particular those most fashionable - turbine style roundabouts.  His slides presented roundabouts’ impact on bikers’  security and comfort . These presented how roundabouts hinder cycling around the city. - There are no such problems wherever traffic lights are.  Everything seems clear and simple - said Arkadiusz Pacholski, the curator of street art projects.  He also emphasized that many upgrades have not significantly improved the traffic-flow  quality. - Polish cities have seen no change - the transport model is still based on the passenger car ad the main means of transport. The car is only a complement with other forms of transport - he emphasized.

The Urban Policy Congress held in Targi Kielce  continues until November 16.  The detailed agenda can be found  HERE.

 (JN)