Chapter 2: Regional cycling policies
Chapter 2.1: Support of cycling in 14 Czech regions
In the frame of implementation of the NCS, coordination and methodological assistance is provided to the regional governments, ensuring the link between the national and local levels. In the present, the regional governments become "important players" in the field of support of cycling, especially because of their specific position in administrating the EU structural funding which will be used in benefit of cycling (among other fields). The following text will give an overview of the regional support and activities in alphabetical order upon Czech names of the regions.
Hereafter short notes about each region are elaborated.They value actuel measure of cycling support in the region.
1. Jihočeský kraj (South Bohemian Region):
In the South Bohemian region, the interest in cycling transport and cycle tourism is high in a long-term. Its dense signposted cycle route network, growing number of kilometres of separate cycle paths and a range of promotion events for cycling clearly prove this fact. South Bohemian cities, municipalities, micro-regions, the regional government and the Foundation for South Bohemian Cycle Paths (founded in 2003), aim at coordination and development of cycling in the South Bohemian region. They prepare a number of cycling projects with the objective to develop and improve conditions for bicycle use in the region. The topical and most important projects realising interregional long-distance cycle paths are these: the Vltava cycle path (a backbone path along the Moldau river, 261km long, costs: cca 350 mil.CZK – the project is linked with the North-South Eurocorridor) and the Otava cycle path (132 km long, costs: cca 300 mil.CZK). In 2006, the regional government made an important step: elaborated the „Conception on development of cycling transport in South Bohemian region“.
2.Jihomoravský kraj (South Moravian Region)
The South Moravian region defines its approach to development of tourism and to its integral part: cycle tourism in the main regional strategic and program documents – (1) Strategy for developmnet of the South Moravian region (approved 2007), (2) Strategy for economic development of the South Moravian region (approved 2006), (3) Program on development of the South Moravian region (approved 2007) and (4) Transport Master Plan of the South Moravian region (approved 2005). The development directions defined in the regional and supra-regional strategic and program documents are coordinated with development directions set up in the related municipal and micro-regional documents through the action plans and financial support to target groups. Support is concretely realised in the following ways: (A) Realisation of concrete cycling projects, (B) Development of human resources and preparation of project themes, (C) Support for project documentations, (D) Support for monitoring and maintenance of cycle route signing, (E) Conception and coordination of activities in benefit of bicycle use.
3.Karlovarský kraj (Region of Karlsbad):
Development of cycling transport in the Karlovy Vary region is realised on the basis of the approved “Strategy on development of cycle tourism and cycling transport”, existing since 2004. The development is coordinated especially within construction of main cycle paths and while preparing cycling products. As an example, the project of the Ohre cycle path can be mentioned which is a backbone cycle path constructed along the river of Ohre.. The project is prepared for EU structural funding for the period of 2007 – 2013. Financial support from the part of the regional government goes to coordinated signposting, administration and maintenance of cycle routes, for promotion of cycling products, web portals on bicycle services (cycle buses), for project studies, development documents and preparation of cycling projects, as well as for establishment of cycling areas for non-traditional forms of cycle tourism.
4.Královéhradecký kraj (Region of Hradec Kralove):
The region has elaborated its conception on development of cycling, which defines realisation of backbone cycle route network - stretches with European, supra-regional and regional importance, with links to adjacent regions and side border area with Poland. For realisation of cycling projects, the regional board of representatives approved a grant program which is opened yearly since 2004. The program subsidises all kinds of activities for support of cycling: cycling infrastructure, project studies, signposting and accompanying infrastructure. An interesting issue supported by the program is also a system of cycle buses for transferring bicycles for the purposes of cycle tourism. Both kinds of subsidies are opened this year again, with the budget of 6,5 mil. CZK.
5.Liberecký kraj (Region of Liberec):
During the last 5 year, an analysis of the cycle route network in the Liberec region showing the strengths and weaknesses was carried out. With the aim to eliminate the weaknesses and to support the strengths, the “Conception for development of cycling transport in the Liberec region” (2006 – 2007) was consecutively elaborated. The weak points and potential solutions were proposed and evaluated from the technical and economic point-of-view and phasing for realisation of prioritised solutions was set-up. The study will be followed by establishment of the navigation systém for cyclists in the region.
6.Moravskoslezský kraj (Moravian-Silesian region):
On the 26th of April 2007, the “Conception for development of cycling in the Moravian-Silesian region” was approved by the Board of regional representatives. The elaborated conception defines a network of backbone cycle routes in the region, shows the importance of cycle routes for the region and brings a manual for their realisation. On the basis of the approved conception, particular cycling measures were proposed and related to the executive documents of the regional operation program. The prioritised measures are focused on construction of backbone cycle paths and integration of cycling transport into the car transport and public transport systems. Among the largest cycling projects in the region, we can mention the cycle path Krnov – Opava – Velke Hostice (length: 33 kms; costs: 64 mil. CZK) or the Greenways corridors through the Ostrava city and along the river of Odra (length: 35 kms; costs: 102 mil. CZK). Surveys along other backbone cycle corridors were launched. The next developed cycle paths: the Beskydy cycle path (Ostrava – Frydlant – Bila/Celadna) and the cycle path Odra – Moravia – Danube.
7.Olomoucký kraj (Region of Olomouc):
The „Conception for development of cycling transport in the Olomouc region“ was approved by the Board of regional representatives in 2003. The strategic document serves as the basis for financial support for construction of cycle paths, therefore the document became the main guideline for support of cycling in the region. On its basis, the Board of regional representatives decided to provide a regular funding for cycling projects. The regional government invested more than 40 mil. CZK into construction of cycle paths in the period of 2004 – 2006. The Olomouc region was the first one providing a regular support for regional cycling projects. In connection to the infrastructure investments, the regional government supports also promotion cycling events on the regional scale, e.g. the series of events: „Discover the Olomouc region by bicyle“.
8.Pardubický kraj (Region of Pardubice):
In 2004, the regional government ordered elaboration of the main document for development of cycling transport – the “Bicycle Master Plan for the Pardubice region”. On the 21st September 2006, the Board of regional representatives approved updating of its strategic document „Program for development of the Pardubice region“. Another important document was elaborated in 2003: the “Program for tourism development in the tourist region of Eastern Bohemia”. Concrete activities implemented to support cycle tourism and cycling transport can be grouped as follows: grant and subsidy programs of the Pardubice regional government, administration of EU structural funding (allocated for cycling as well), financial support for operation of cycle buses, support of publication of cycling leaflets, cycle guides and maps and materials published by the regional government itself.
9. Praha (Region of the Prague capital city):
In October 2006, the Regional Council agreed a new cycle route systém which is based on previous documents and technical inputs. The systém makes a basis for a functional and organised network of good-quality cycle routes planned for commuting and recreational cycling. The applied measures use modern technical designs in built-up areas. The network consists of three types of cycle routes: backbones, main routes and local routes. To make the local systém easy for orientation and to distinguish the Prague city cycle routes, the cycle route numbers (assigned in coherence with the national numbering database administrated by the Czech Hiking Club) contain the letter A (the national code for Prague). Actual information is publicised also on the webpage of the Prague city: www.praha-mesto.cz/cyklo. In the present, about 260 kms of cycle routes are signposted in the city of Prague (temporarily in three signage systems which will be harmonized soon), 113 kms of them go on roads with a lower car traffic. In the coming years, adapting and development of 20 % of them is estimated yearly.
10.Plzensky kraj (Region of Pilsen):
In 2004, the regional government ordered elaboration of the project: „Supra-regional cycle routes in the Region of Pilsen“. The study follows up the resolution of the Regional Council, approved on the 9th of September 2003.In that time, the priority for support of cycling projects was given to construction of the backbone international cycle route: Prague-Pilsen-Regensburg in the quality of a separate cycle path (costs: 300 mil. CZK). A new initiative for an internet exploring was launched. Through internet and intranet applications, the data on cycle routes, linked with maps, will be provided.
11.Středočeský kraj (Central Bohemian Region):
One of the main steps of the Central Bohemian region for support of cycling transport was elaboration of a comprehensive and complex document analysing the state-of-the-art of cycling in the region. In autumn 2003, the „Bicycle Master Plan for cycle routes and cycle paths in the Central Bohemian region“ was approved. In the present, the plan is updated and its new version will be issued in November 2007. The main objective was to make a complete analysis of the state of cycle routes and propose short-term and long-term solutions for improvement where necessary. All the provided inputs are useful for the regional government as they become a tool for further coordination of cycling projects in Central Bohemia. The activities are planned for the program period of 2007-2013. In this phase, there is a good chance to use the available budgets for this purpose. The main efforts are put in development of the main backbone cycle routes crossing the region. The regional government supported preparatory studies and many stretches are prepared for construction works.
12.Ústecký kraj (Region of Usti nad Labem):
In 2007, the “Marketing study for development of cycle tourism in the Usti nad Labem region” was elaborated. It coordinates development of cycling transport in the region and brings the regional activities in coherence with the national plans and initiatives of other regions, including the links of cycle routes with adjacent regions. The signage system is unified with the national systém as it is the case for all the regions. The objective is to create friendly conditions for cycling and realise good-quality cycle paths, e.g. the Elbe path, Cycle path along the river Ohre, the cycle path of Ploučnice and the cycle path through Krusne hory which are under construction.
13.Kraj Vysočina (Region of Vysocina):
In the mid of 2006, the regional government with its site in Jihlava divided the competences and responsibilities in the field of cycling. The main responsible departments are the Department for Regional Development and the Department for Transport. The latter one brings solutions for cycling transport, commuting of cyclists and their needs, traffic calming, construction of new cycle paths, technical assistance for preparation of cycling projects applying for subsidies from the National Transport Infrastructure Fund etc.. The Department for Regional Development, the Tourism unit is responsible for cycle tourism development – cycle route systém, additional services for cyclists, involvement in the national project „Cyclists welcome“, cycle tourist packages and circuits etc. The region also financially supports cycling through its subsidy program „Vysocina Fund“ with fixed rules for co-financing and through specific decisions of the Board of regional representatives which works already for several years.
14.Zlínský kraj (Region of Zlin):
Development of cycling in the Zlin region is based on the approved „Bicycle Master Plan for the Zlin region“ which is the basis for the Conception of development of cycling transport in the Zlin region“. The activities of micro-regions, municipalities and private sector are important as well. They participate mainly in the large project of construction of the cycle path along the Becva river and the partners work together for development of the Bata´s canal and the cycle routes in its corridor and other investment actions in important places of the region.
