Summary:
Lisbon City Council establishes a multidisciplinary task force for cycling network improvements.
João Castro appointed as the task force leader with three other key members.
The task force's mission includes enhancing connectivity and safety of the cycling infrastructure.
Key tasks include collaborating with EMEL for GIRA network expansion and overseeing construction projects.
The cycling network is crucial for urban mobility, promoting a better quality of life in Lisbon.
Lisbon's Cycling Network Task Force Established
The Lisbon City Council has officially formed a multidisciplinary task force dedicated to planning, developing, and enhancing the city's cycling network. This initiative aims to ensure connectivity and safety while coordinating with various entities and overseeing interventions. João Castro, an experienced landscape architect, will lead the group, which consists of three additional members.
Task Force Composition
The Cycling Network Task Force includes:
- Ricardo Ramos, an architect from the Mobility Management Department.
- Zulmira Santos and João Marques, architects from the Mobility Studies and Planning Division.
- Part-time contributions from Manuela Reis and Amorim Silva.
Mission and Objectives
According to an internal note, the task force's mission is to plan, design, and implement the cycling network's development while reviewing and consolidating the existing network. They will promote connections with all municipal and external entities to enhance the consistency, clarity, and safety of Lisbon's cycling infrastructure.
Concrete Tasks Ahead
Some key responsibilities of the group will include:
- Developing preliminary programs for new interventions.
- Collaborating with EMEL on the expansion of the GIRA network.
- Managing municipal and private execution projects.
- Issuing opinions on network expansion projects.
- Overseeing constructions that integrate cycling infrastructure.
Importance of the Task Force
The creation of this task force allows the city to prioritize specific themes and form agile teams without restructuring existing organizations. This is crucial for cycling, as it intersects with various areas such as roadways, pedestrian spaces, green areas, and public transport. The design of the cycling network must integrate public space planning, requiring expertise from urban design professionals.
A Vision for the Future
The cycling network is described as a fundamental urban infrastructure essential for managing mobility in a global, inclusive, and intelligent city. The task force is already active, emphasizing the need to improve the internal functioning of the Municipal Mobility Directorate to enhance human resources and procedural timelines, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life in Lisbon regarding mobility and transport usage.
Image of a cycling network section in Areeiro (photo by LPP)
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