The local government bodies of Greater Warsaw will get more than PLN 241 million from EU funds under the Integrated Territorial Investments for the construction of bike paths. Co-funding agreements are already being signed, with the value of the most recent agreement exceeding PLN 48 million for the communes in the northern part of Warsaw.

Over 77 kilometres of integrated bike paths will be created in communes neighbouring with Warsaw in the north. They will run through eight communes nearby Warsaw: Legionowo, Czosnów, Jabłonna, Łomianki, Nieporęt, Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, Radzymin, and Wieliszew. The total project funding value within the Regional Operational Programme for the Mazowieckie Voivodeship 2014-2020 exceeds PLN 48 million (total project value is PLN 60 million). The co-funding agreement was signed by Wiesław Raboszuk, Deputy Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, and Roman Smogorzewski, Mayor of Legionowo, which is the Project Leader.

As a result of cooperation between the Local Government of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, the City of Warsaw, and communes nearby Warsaw, 13 projects were selected for implementation under the competition, thanks to which the network of bike paths in Warsaw and its neighbouring communes will be expanded. The total cost of almost 330 km of paths is nearly PLN 340 million. Local government bodies will acquire more than PLN 241 million of EU funds for this purpose under the Integrated Territorial Investments instrument included in the Regional Operational Programme for the Mazowieckie Voivodeship for 2014-2020. The projects are already selected, so the signing of co-funding agreements has begun, including as regards Warsaw (PLN 71.6 million), Grodzisk Mazowiecki (PLN 29.8 million), Marki (PLN 23.6 million), and Błonie (PLN 5.1 million).

“The availability of modern bike paths in the communes neighbouring with Warsaw directly benefits the capital city,” emphasised Michał Olszewski, Deputy Mayor of Warsaw. “The bicycle is a perfect alternative for residents of communes near Warsaw commuting to work in the capital by car on a daily basis. The new paths will improve access to bus stops or integrated public transport interchange junctions.”

The Greater Warsaw bike path network creates transport corridors integrated with various types of public transport. Using the bicycle as a daily means of transport reduces air pollution and noise, at the same time improving road traffic safety. One of the main selection criteria for specific projects was whether they create uniform intercommune connections and how they fit into the existing network.

Another important argument in favour is the possibility of reaching a bus stop or an integrated public transport interchange junction by following the bike path. Paths built within the ITI will be uniformly marked. The characteristic colourful bikes will also constitute an element of the planned information and promotion actions encouraging Greater Warsaw’s residents to use bikes for their daily commuting to work, school or university.