The new bypass around Zápy has interrupted a European bike route. The region wants a remedy

The wide two-lane road with an maximum speed of 90 km/h has completely interrupted this popular path for family outings, giving them no protection. The bike path was only supplemented with signs to „give way“. Drivers are only informed about the crossing by a „beware of cyclists“ sign and an order to reduce their speed to 70 km/h.

In other countries and according to Czech safety requirements, such a crossing of a significant cycle path is undesirable. On the ‚positive‘ side, at least the path was not accompanied by an order to dismount from the bicycle or did not lead to a complete interruption. At the same time, there was an improvement in the surface at the location.

The region wants to address the problem

The Department of Public Mobility of the Central Bohemian Region is aware of the problem, according to statements made to Městem na kole. However, at the time the bypass was being designed, the department did not exist yet, and the Regional Road Administration and Maintenance of the Central Bohemian Region (KSÚS) thus could not work on this issue with them. The then Department of Transportation started to address the issue only after construction had begun: „At that time, KSÚS provided us with the construction documentation so that we could verify that the bypass would not completely block the cycle path.“

The Department of Public Mobility stated that it is not possible to implement construction measures such as a footbridge or traffic calming islands any time soon. It would prefer to propose „soft“ non-construction measures that KSÚS should mark. These would act as a visual brake for both drivers and cyclists.

Ensure that the bypass does not block the cycle path

„Regarding the crossing of the cycle path with the Zápy bypass, we are already in talks with KSÚS,“ said Dana Urban Hančová, the cycling coordinator for the Central Bohemian Region, to Městem na kole. „I ride through here myself during the season to work, and this section is indeed unpleasant,“ she added.