News from the Prague Cycling Commission: April to June

Since the sharp comments and notes from Vratislav Filler, a commission member, have become very occasional due to his work commitments, we decided to provide updates on the commission’s activities in the form of edited meeting minutes. These are publicly accessible on the city’s website, but to increase awareness, we will also regularly publish them here in the form of a shortened thematic guide.

The minutes undergo editorial adjustments before being published on Městem na kole. We omit technical details of the meetings and select the most important topics. Occasionally, we will add context to some passages. The aim is to provide a summary of the most important points. For a precise recap of the meetings, we recommend following the official minutes. Fans of the original format need not worry, as Vratislav Filler will occasionally join in with his traditional commentary.

Since Vratislav Filler’s last report was published in March, we will follow up with the three meetings that took place from April to June.

April

The April meeting focused on topics such as the Beladova cycle path project, the Chlumecká study, the update of the Sustainable Mobility Plan, and the upcoming Prague Building Regulations.

Chlumecká Study

Resolution proposal no. 10.3:

Incorporating the comments below, the commission recommends submitting it to the RHMP for approval and subsequent detailed development in further steps, with an emphasis on adhering to the Active Mobility Standards. The commission also appreciates the improved transport solution compared to the previous study of the Hutě area.

• The commission requires the study to be refined according to the Active Mobility Standards and the current citywide routes system.
• The commission recommends adding a separate drawing for the cycling transport proposal.
• The commission recommends adding a model intersection solution with regard to cycling transport.
• The commission recommends refining the connection of Za Černým Mostem Street with V Chaloupkách Street and Vodňanská Street with Za Černým Mostem Street.

Furthermore, the commission recommends:

• That the deputy mayors of Prague for transport and urban development urgently address the adjacent area to the east, across to D0 Horní Počernice, in coordination with the ŘSD’s plan for the reconstruction of the Chlumecká interchange.

(10-0-0) The proposal was approved

Update of the Sustainable Mobility Plan

Resolution proposal no. 10.4:

The commission warns that due to very low allocated financial resources until 2030, it will be far from possible to achieve the approved Prague goals from the Climate Plan and the Active Mobility Strategy. The allocated amount constitutes at most a few percent of the budget needed for the system of superior cycling routes. The commission recommends implementing joint investments with other transport constructions, which would significantly save construction costs.

(10-0-0) The proposal was approved

Prague Building Regulations

In the discussion on the new Prague Building Regulations (which we wrote about here), several modifications were proposed. Their wording and justification can be found in the official minutes.

May

The agenda for the May meeting included the urban study of the new Bubny – Zátory district, further progress in completing the cycle path on route A9 between Balabenka and Krejcárek, discussions about new contracts with bike-sharing operators, and discussions about the solutions for cycle routes A9 and A0 in Horní Počernice.

Urban Study of Bubny – Zátory

Resolution proposal no. 11.2:

The commission requires the new district Bubny – Zátory to address cycling transport in accordance with the approved Active Mobility Standards and TP179. The urban study must define the basic network for active mobility in accordance with the approved citywide cycling routes system, specifically the major routes A1, A4, and A6, the backbone routes A31 and A16, and the main routes A310, A311, A151, and A161. It must also design all street spaces to be friendly to active mobility to achieve area-wide permeability for active mobility, for example, with non-through traffic areas, and shared, residential, and pedestrian zones with permitted cycling entry.

According to the KCD [Cycling Commission – ed.note], it is essential to address cycling transport strictly within the protected standard, especially in the corridors A1, A4, and A6, and primarily in those streets where higher intensity of car traffic is expected (while maintaining a smooth cycling flow). Specifically, this concerns the streets Bubenská, Argentinská, Partyzánská, U Výstaviště, Plynární, Železničářů, Vrbenského, and Za Viaduktem.

The commission requires the submission of the study assignment for review at the earliest possible date.

(11-0-0) The resolution was adopted

A9 – Krejcárek – Balabenka – Possible Passing Options

Resolution proposal no. 11.4:

The KCD recommends that the City Council ensure the update of the technical study A9 – Krejcárek – Balabenka, preferably as part of ŽUP and the South Bypass of Libeň.

(9-0-0) The resolution was adopted

Bikesharing – Regulation, Benefit Program

Resolution proposal no. 11.3:

The KCD recommends that the Council consider differentiated parking fees in various locations in new contracts with all bike-sharing operators to motivate a more even distribution of provided resources throughout the city.

(10-0-0) The resolution was adopted

Justification: In connection with the legal interpretation of the possibility of providing bike-sharing in public spaces as special road use, the city is preparing contracts with bike-sharing operators through TSK regarding the conditions of such use. Among other things, a fixed fee per vehicle per month for the entire city is being considered. However, such a system will not solve the problem of uneven distribution of resources, mainly due to the hilly terrain. Therefore, the resolution recommends a system with different (e.g., hourly) parking fees at different locations. Popular and overcrowded locations can be charged the most, while locations on hills can be charged the least or not at all, to motivate providers to distribute resources more evenly.

June

At the latest meeting, the modification of the main road [the Magistrala] in front of the main train station was discussed, which had already sparked emotions during the March meeting. Other topics included improving route A1 between Troja Bridge and Stromovka and addressing the area in front of Výstaviště.

Current State of the North-South Highway Modification Project

V. Benedikt and J. Hendrych presented the current state of the preparation for the project in front of the Fantova Building of the Main Train Station. The proposal separates cyclists from motor traffic in an adjacent space behind bus stops and K+R, at the sidewalk level, and with different paving. Some KCD members pointed out the unsuitability of this solution due to the low visibility of the cycling lane for pedestrians entering the bus stop area, which would lead to conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians.

From the discussion about the incorporation of the previous KCD suggestions, it emerged that the dual solution enabling efficient bike passage through a dedicated bike lane while maintaining a calm alternative in the adjacent space was rejected by IPR during the project preparation. Furthermore, the alternative solution in the form of a fully realized Danish-style elevated bike lane, separated from the sidewalk either by height or curb and made of asphalt or another road-like surface, was not elaborated in detail.

In response to the commission’s question about what DOSS or legislative statements hinder the above-described full-fledged Danish-style bike lane solution, the project designer answered that no DOSS statements were requested for this solution and that this solution is not in line with the space concept pursued by the IPR project developers, which is primarily (only) a calm area.

Furthermore, the KCD was informed that no significant conceptual changes from the IPR are expected during the further project preparation.

Resolution Proposal No. 12.2:

The KCD states that the proposed solution for cycling infrastructure on the north-south highway corridor (cycle route A4) in front of the Fantova Building of the main train station has only undergone minor modifications after a quarter of a year of work. However, the proposed solution remains inappropriate and dangerous for cycling. Of the specifically formulated key requirements in the March KCD resolution, only one was satisfactorily addressed, and the overall result is unsatisfactory.

Voting (7-3-0) The resolution was adopted

Resolution Proposal No. 12.3:

The KCD continues to require the project to be revised in accordance with TP179, citywide standards, and the KCD resolution from March 2024, so that the cycling measures allow safe and smooth cycling for all users of the given space.

Voting (9-0-1) The resolution was adopted

Resolution Proposal No. 12.4:

Given the importance of the route, the commission recommends using the superior cycle route management for superior cycle routes. In this context, the commission prefers a solution that gives the impression of a separated roadway rather than a living area.

Voting (8-1-1) The resolution was adopted

Resolution Proposal No. 12.5:

In the case of exclusively leading cyclists outside the roadway for motor traffic, the commission requests ensuring traffic safety by clearly separating the space for cycling transport, both with a uniform surface with the roadway for motor traffic and with height and visual separation from the sidewalk in the bus stop and K+R areas.

Voting (8-1-1) The resolution was adopted

The A1 in Prague 7 – Section Trojský Bridge – Stromovka

The position of the Prague 7 District Office was presented. It is proposed to study the possibility of widening the bike route at the Vltava level to 3 – 3.5 m with a surface that has good infiltration properties. As the next stage, it is appropriate to investigate the revitalization of the panel road. The district recommends handling the surface modifications in the administratively easiest way, such as in the mode of maintaining the surface of the existing road.

Resolution Proposal No. 12.6:

The KCD recommends that the Department of Transport assign the Technical Road Administration of the Capital City of Prague to design the section A1 – Trojský Bridge – behind the power plant, prioritizing a short-term solution with a provisional reduced standard, at least 3 m wide and with a surface with suitable infiltration properties.

Voting (9-0-0) The resolution was adopted

Cycling Transport Solution in the Area in Front of Výstaviště

A study was presented on the solution of the overpass of the railway line and the connections of non-motorized transport in the area in front of the exhibition grounds in relation to individual access points.

There was a discussion about the possibilities for the routing of cycle route A6, the material solution, and the spatial concept. There was no agreement between the representatives of IPR, KCD, and the Prague 7 District on the appropriate material solution and concept for cycling transport.

No resolution, voting will take place at the next commission meeting.