New cycling policy approved in the health-promoting town of Hafnarfjörður
The cycling strategy for Hafnarfjörður for the years 2023-2029 is presented to improve cycling transport in the town and its connections with neighbouring municipalities. The aim of the policy is to improve infrastructure and services in order to increase the modal share of cycling in Hafnarfjörður and promote a general cycling culture.
Hafnarfjörður's cycling policy was unanimously approved by the town council on 7th June. The policy for 2023-2029 is designed to improve cycling transport in the town and its connections with neighbouring municipalities. The aim of the strategy is to improve infrastructure and services in order to increase the share of cycling in Hafnarfjörður and promote a general cycling culture. This will further promote a healthy lifestyle, as well as making Hafnarfjörður an even better and more desirable town.
Responding to changing travel habits
Hafnarfjörður's cycling policy is intended to address the challenges the town faces, such as changing travel habits, population growth, changing housing needs, competitiveness, climate issues and public health. In 2019, the state and the municipalities of the Capital Region signed a transport agreement for the years 2019-2034, where it was agreed to invest in multi-modal transport infrastructure in the capital region with the aim of increasing residents' freedom of choice and moving towards a carbon-neutral society. The Regional Plan for the Capital Region 2015-2040 sets out objectives for the share of all journeys within the region to be at least 30% for walking and cycling by 2040. The 2013-2025 Master Plan for Hafnarfjörður sets out objectives for the development of a high-quality walking and cycling path network in order to reduce car traffic. Cycling has increased significantly in Iceland over the past three years, and the import of bicycles has nearly doubled. The increase is almost entirely due to e-bikes and electric scooters. Furthermore, cycle commuting in the capital region increased by almost 71% between 2021 and 2022, during the period from September to December.
The cycling policy is part of the Healthy City of Hafnarfjörður project.
It is very important that Hafnarfjörður supports this development by building cycling infrastructure, which creates an incentive for residents to travel by bike, whether to work, for leisure, or for exercise. There is also an opportunity to make Hafnarfjörður an exciting destination for various types of cycling, whether it be road cycling, mountain biking in the town's hinterland or within the town itself. Hafnarfjörður has all the potential to become a great cycling town, and the City of Hafnarfjörður's Cycling Strategy is the first step in that direction. The Cycling Strategy is part of the 'Healthy City of Hafnarfjörður' project.