The city of Milan has announced a major expansion of a cycle-lanes and footpaths as it prepares for life after the COVID-19 crisis.
The plan will see 35km of new cycle paths with footpaths widened to allow the city to safely reopen as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
The Strade Aperte plan will also see streets designated as pedestrian and cyclist priority and the introduction of new 30kph speed limits.
The city’s metro system, which previously carried 1.4 million people every day, will only be permitted to carry somewhere between 25% and 30% of that number.
The @greenparty_ie should go into government right now and make this a condition. We could completely reimagine and restructure congested Irish cities - particularly Dublin - now and have it done BEFORE people go back to work! #seizethemoment https://t.co/kXggVKW65M
— David McWilliams (@davidmcw) April 21, 2020
The city is also encouraging companies to stagger schedules and facilitate remote working as much as possible.
Air pollution over Milan has plummeted since the COVID-19 lockdown began – with nitrogen dioxide levels 45% lower than they were this time last year.
Meanwhile, a new study of COVID-19 deaths across 66 regions in Italy, Spain, France and Germany has found that 78% of deaths happened in the five regions with the highest nitrogen dioxide levels.
In a post on Facebook, Deputy Mayor Marco Granelli said the new cycle lanes would begin to open in May and June.
He said phase two of the city’s coronavirus response must allow people move around the city in the safest way possible to limit the spread of the virus.
He said he hoped the new plan would take up to one million cars off the streets.
Milan, Brussels, Oakland...
Cities worldwide are turning over their streets to pedestrians & cyclists in response the pandemic and the need to physically distance.
Irish towns & cities must follow suit. https://t.co/8885UFesp7— Streets Are For People (@streetsare4ppl) April 21, 2020
Meanwhile, the Irish Pedestrian Network and the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network (ICAN) have called on the Government to reallocate space on streets across the country for walking and cycling while the pandemic continues.
ICAN spokesperson Damien Ó Tuama said: “Over sixty towns and cities worldwide, in recognition of this new reality, have quickly installed low-cost temporary measures by using cones to widen footpaths and repurposing full vehicle lanes to cycle lanes.”
“Dublin has now joined Berlin, Washington DC and London in reallocating road space to ensure safer social distancing is possible. We want other councils to do the same.”
The groups have set out eight aims they believe a nationwide programme should consist of.
Irish Pedestrian Network and https://t.co/QXeo8Ncbzn Irish Cycling Advocacy Network call on national government to provide safe space for pedestrians and cyclists across the country during the current crisis as a matter of urgency. pic.twitter.com/hkoPbtHSKR
— IrishPedestrianNetwork (@IrishPedestrian) April 21, 2020
