BORA! - Expanding bike-sharing beyond the urban centres in Viseu Dão Lafões Region
About this good practice
In Viseu Dão Lafões (VDL) there is a high reliance on private motorized vehicles, which translates to environmental pollution, and traffic congestion. Additionally, there is a lack of sustainable transport options in the territory.
The VDL Public Shared Bicycle System resulting from the Bora! project is responsible for enhancing the offer of soft mobility options in the region: BORA! is implemented by the CIM-VDL, rooted in the broader context of sustainable urban development and the need to shift towards more eco-friendly modes of transport and is part of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Action Plan of the region. At the same time, the intermodality action behind the initiative also promoted the creation of new cycle and pedestrian paths. The Bora! initiative is seen as a complementarity and cohesion strategy between the urban and peripherical areas of a heterogeneous territory. The system is already available in the municipalities that integrate the CIM-VDL.
Municipalities in the region are responsible for planning and implementing the project, managing infrastructure, and ensuring public safety.
Beneficiaries include citizens, by providing them with a more enjoyable and sustainable transport mode, with reduced commuting costs, and increased convenience. In low-density areas with a higher dependence on cars, the kilometers driven using the bike-sharing system are more likely to replace car trips compared to urban environments with a wider range of transport options.
Resources needed
Implementation of a monitoring and management system and acquisition of the bicycles and related infrastructure equipment, as well as the construction of 26 km of cycle and pedestrian paths, involves around 4.985.876,97 € in the first phase.
Evidence of success
From the 1st phase, there has been an upgrade:
Phase 1 (2022-2023):
Establishment of a network of 37 stations with 235 parking docks.
Provision of 101 conventional bicycles for public use.
Monitoring and management system.
Development of 26 km of new cycle paths and pedestrian walkways.
Phase 2 (2024 onwards):
Expansion of the network with 52 additional bicycles.
Upgrades to the monitoring and management system.
Currently: 14 Municipalities; 39 Stations; 245 Docks; 153 Bicycles
Potential for learning or transfer
The BORA! initiative offers key lessons that could be adapted and implemented in other regions with similar challenges and heterogeneous territories. It is important to consider factors such as population density, topography, and existing transport infrastructure. This is relevant to ensure citizens adhere to the bike-sharing system since they perceive its usefulness and flexibility. Besides adequate cycling infrastructure, the success of this type of initiative requires active participation from local authorities, a well-defined plan and demand assessments, and prioritizing user needs for the dock stations.
Further information
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