Norway is committed to decarbonizing mobility at all costs. His latest weapon is a 3 km underground cycle path

Redesigning mobility in cities to provide safe spaces for cyclists and pedestrians while reducing the amount of road traffic is a major challenge. Most municipalities opt for cycle paths that are simply laid out on the shoulder or, in the most favorable cases, slightly separated from automobile traffic.

Unfortunately, few resources are allocated to the creation of infrastructure specifically dedicated to cycling . Although this represents a significant investment, such a measure greatly improves the safety of cyclists by offering them a circulation space separate from that of cars.

Bergen, the Norwegian city in the southwest , is preparing to inaugurate a tunnel of almost 3 km, intended exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians. The Fyllingsdalstunnelen , carved into one of the seven mountains that surround the city, connects a residential area to its city center. Its opening date to the public is scheduled for April 15, 2023, with races and cycling events to celebrate its inauguration.

The tunnel will cut the travel time from 40 to 25 minutes, which may seem long, but it will take around 10 minutes to cycle through and 30 to 45 minutes on foot. According to Euronews , it is one of the longest cycle tunnels in the world and the largest in Europe.

Use synergies to create new cycle paths

The three kilometer long tunnel between Bergensdalen and Fyllingsdalen might as well be christened the Strava tunnel right away. https://t.co/8ypOMXMze7  pic.twitter.com/ZX4ggQ0vzB

- Kjetil K. Ullebø (@kkullebo)  January 23, 2023

Although the tunnel was designed to be shared with cyclists and pedestrians, it was not expressly created for them. Like other similar tunnels, it has a privileged space for cyclists. A similar example is the Croix-Rousse tunnel in Lyon , France, which was bored parallel to a second tunnel for cars in order to have a separate bus lane.

The Bergen tunnel runs parallel to the new tram line inaugurated last November. It serves as an emergency escape route for train passengers. However, with the support of public investment, dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists have been included in its design. The lanes are respectively 2.5 and 3.5 meters wide.

Tunnel under the Croix-Rousse hill exclusively reserved for bicycles, pedestrians and buses.

Arild Tveit , project manager, explains that the tunnel was originally intended to be a service and emergency tunnel, but has been widened to include dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. He also points out that the creation of a walkway will allow citizens to exercise, thus contributing to public health.

The opening of the Bergen tunnel is an example of the willingness of cities to invest in infrastructures favorable to soft modes of transport. Governments and investors are taking action to promote the use of bicycles and clean modes of transport to reduce carbon emissions and support a better quality of life for citizens.

The Bergen Tunnel is an important milestone for the city, as it will allow citizens to get around easily and safely by bicycle or on foot, reducing the use of private cars and reducing air pollution.