Velopoli
About this good practice
VELOPOLI is a policy of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia aimed at placing urban cycling mobility at the center of the city. Cycling infrastructure planning is outlined in the BICIPLAN 2024, aiming at:
- Adapting, maintaining, and integrating existing cycling infrastructure;
- Creating new cycling infrastructure;
- Regulating the basic road network to make it safe and fully cyclable;
- Increasing the value and awareness of choosing cycling for getting around through the development of targeted policies and services.
The BiciPlan 2024 introduces the new concept of SuperCiclabili, which aims to create connections that are exclusively or predominantly cycling routes, fast, and as far as possible from intersections with motor traffic.
As part of Velopoli, there are several projects to encourage cycling mobility for home-to-school trips, involving active community participation (BICIBUS, PEDIBUS, SCHOOL STREETS, WORKSHOPS).
Another measure of Velopoli is promoting home-to-work commutes through the BIKE-TO-WORK project, a financial incentive recognised by the Municipality (with the Region’s co-funding) to employers who choose the bike to travel from home to the office.
Numerous bicycle-friendly services such as BICYCLES, bicycle rental / storage / maintenance points and the plan to replace public bicycle racks with safer and more comfortable models.
Velopoli also includes communication about cycling mobility, with various campaigns to make cycling a mode of daily transportation.
Resources needed
2 staff members (50% of their time dedicated) who supervise both cycling projects promoted by the municipality and mobility management initiatives on recurring home-school and home-work routes.
Evidence of success
The city's cycle network is continuously expanding, reaching 267 kilometres in 2024, including 36 kilometres of Greenways and 99 kilometres of main cycle routes.
In 2024, the BiciPlan 2024 further enhanced the network, introducing 9 ‘SuperCycle Routes’, 12 ‘Urban Cycle Routes’ and new ‘Greenways’, with the aim of making the bicycle the preferred mode of transport for daily commuting, students and leisure.
Potential for learning or transfer
Reggio Emilia has been involved in many European projects focused on cycling mobility that included the transfer of best practices, demonstrating the potential replicability of Velopoli.
Other cities can replicate this by investing in dedicated cycling infrastructure that ensures safe access for cyclists, linking residential, commercial, and recreational areas. Creating seamless connections between different parts of the city enhances cycling as a daily transport mode. Awareness campaigns, such as cycling weeks, bike-to-work days, and school programs, can encourage a shift toward sustainable, healthy transportation choices. The scalable approach of this model allows it to adapt to cities of various sizes, with small and medium-sized cities starting with pilot projects and expanding the network as demand for cycling infrastructure grows.