Stockholm
Stockholm has broken into the top tier for the first time. Historically lagging behind its Nordic peers, the Swedish capital is now racing to catch up, finding alternatives to automobile use with higher-quality bicycle infrastructure and a favorable political tailwind. Congestion is squeezing the city; it is now time to use this momentum to make significant headway and build a truly integrated cycling ecosystem.
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Backed by a substantial dedicated budget, Stockholm is rolling out a new generation of bicycle tracks that are physically separated from car traffic. Crucially, these upgrades are not confined to the historic city center: new protected corridors are being extended into the outer districts to create a complete, organized network. A notable development is the pedestrian and cycle bridge at Slussen, which provides commuters with a much-needed shortcut and will alleviate this congested urban area, connecting to the central station, the center of town, and Södermalm. In a country committed to “Vision Zero”, fatal bicycle crashes remain very low; the shift to protected infrastructure standards aims to keep safety paramount while making cycling more intuitive and accessible to a wider range of riders.
In order to turn infrastructure into daily use, the city must advocate policies prioritizing bike-share schemes over scooters, and expand bicycle parking lots. Today, bicyclists have at their disposal only 46 parking spaces per 1,000 residents, an average ratio that limits convenience and safety. By expanding such bicycle facilities to accompany an already strong public transportation system, last-mile bicycle trips will be bolstered and reducing car trips will be clearly seen as the city’s priority. A user-centered approach with careful attention given to micro-design will help close Stockholm’s quality gap, attract new riders, and strengthen Stockholm’s already-growing cycling use.
“ Stockholm still has some years of investment ahead to enable its cycling network to grow, enhance services for cyclists, and accompany its population in a greater use of the bicycle. ”
Stockholm’s cycling curve is rising, but barriers are still holding it back from becoming an exemplary cycling city. Signage at intersections needs to be laid out more clearly. Road users need to feel safer. Stronger public awareness of new traffic-priority rules should ensure behavior matches new design. At stations, more dedicated, secure parking will help increase last mile bicycle trips, connect with the city’s various modes and expand the network’s reach. In the case of residents and businesses, guidance, cargo-bike subsidies and trial programs can turn curiosity into everyday cycling.
