Cyclists in Riga embrace new cycling infrastructure

Safe and modern bicycle infrastructure is finding a foothold in the city of Riga. Bruņinieku Street, located in the centre of the city, is now home to brand new bicycle lanes on both sides of the street. Constructed with the support of Handshake, the new lanes connect to those on the adjacent Sporta Street. With the goal to improve cyclist safety, the bicycle lanes are equipped with various safety elements already common throughout the city, such as poles that separate bicycle lanes from car traffic, horizontal painted lines and rubber stops.

Within the framework of Handshake, additional innovative cycling measures have also been implemented. One example is located at an intersection at a nearby intersection on Krišjāņa Barona Street, where cyclists wishing to make a left turn now have a dedicated stopping area in the form of a painted ‘bike box’. Also, public transportation stops across the city now consider the movement and safety of the cyclist in their design.

The blue paint that distinguishes the cycling lanes is gradually spreading across the city, creating the image of Riga as a city welcoming and attentive to the needs of cyclists.