Cycling development in Moscow as part of the policy of sustainable development of the metropolis

Abstract

Bicycle transport is a popular and promising means of transport in the largest cities, as well as the least developed in terms of business travel purposes. The paper substantiates the importance of developing bicycle transport infrastructure in the largest cities through the example of Moscow. The development of bicycle transport is inextricably associated with sustainable urban development and meets the goals of the VizionZero program, leads to the decrease in the use of individual motor transport, increases the physical activity of the population and also has a positive effect on the development of urban environment. The paper highlights the main purposes of the cycling movement of the population and emphasizes the importance of the development of business movement. The characteristics of the development of bicycle-transport network are given. The importance of the integrated approach in the development of a city is substantiated, including the development of a bicycle-transport network with provision of connectivity and safety during its construction. The problems of the development of cycling in Moscow are determined on the example of foreign and Russian cities, as well as strategies for the development of transport infrastructure. The value characterizing the quality of the network development in the city is determined presented by the length of cycle road network per 1 inhabitant. The main problems of the development of cycling transport in the city of Moscow are found and the prospects for the development of the bicycle transport network in Moscow are outlined through the example of the work of Moscow Transport Department and Moscow General Planning Research and Project Institute. The time spent on cycling along the selected routes is analyzed in comparison with car driving during rush hours in road network. As a result it is found that the time spent on cycling is lower compared to traveling by car. In addition, the possibility of developing a bicycle transport network in the red lines of Moscow road network is found. The authors put emphasis on the relevant character of the problem of social perception of cycling transport among the population and determine the directions for increasing the social approval of this type of transport.