Milan approves Super-Cycle Corridors project

MILAN: The Metropolitan Council of Milan recently approved its “Cambio” project. It is a new transportation system that will introduce super-cycle corridors across the city. The project is in line with the Milan’s vision of bicycle-friendly highways as it prioritises cycling, environment protection, safety, and wellbeing. The objective is to complement existing cycle paths with 750 kilometers of new corridors. This will connect the city’s 133 communes with its wider metropolitan area, increase the number of bicycle trips, and increase the reach by 10% internally and 20% on a greater scale.

Beatrice Uguccioni, the Council responsible for city’s mobility said that 240 million euros will be invested to introduce 24 cycle lines. They will decrease emissions and traffic and will ensure more road safety for cyclists and motorists for they will no longer have to share the same routes. According to the Councilor, this is a unique project in Italy because it is the first project to involve organic strategic document. The aim is to surround the metropolitan city of Milan with a capillary network of cycle paths that connect the city with the entire metropolitan area. The councilor said it will be very similar to how the city council has done with laying of optical fiber.

The super cycle paths of the Cambio network are set to be accompanied by optical fiber. This will allow the use of smart solutions in the infrastructure, such as low-impact lighting and real-time information displayed alongside the routes. Parking lots and stations are also set to be established across the corridors. Once completed, the project will put 80% of public facilities and services, such as schools, hospitals, and businesses within one kilometer of a bike route.