Winter Maintenance Cyclists Point of View

Matti Koistinen, Executive DirectorFinnish Cyclists’ Federation

In Joensuu 57 % and in Oulu 50 % of cyclists cycle through winter. (Photo: Pekka Tahkola, Navico Ltd)

Climate – does it really matter?

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is never closed because of winter or snow. Why cycle routes should be?

Oulu

Joensuu

Riga

Lingköping

Copenhagen

Umeå

Tampere

Recommendation of the dayKaisa Karhula / Tampere University of Technology: Best Practices of Cycle Path Winter Maintenance Process

http://tinyurl.com/bestwinter

Average precipitation mm

Average high °C

Tampere −3.4 −3.5 1,2 8,2 15,4 19,5 22,2 19,9 14 7,5 1,5 −1.9 8,4

Riga −2.3 −1.7 2,7 9,8 16,2 20,1 21,7 21 16,3 10,4 3,9 0,3 9,87

Oulu −6 −5.7 −0.9 5,6 12,5 17,9 20,9 18,3 12,5 5,8 −0.4 −4 6,37

Copenhagen

2,5 2,8 5,5 10,2 15,5 19,1 21,2 21 16,7 11,9 6,9 4,1 11,4

Average low °C

Tampere −9.7 −10.6 −6.6 −1.3 3,8 8,6 11,7 10,4 5,9 1,9 −3.0 −7.6 0,3

Riga −7.8 −7.6 −4.7 1 5,9 10 12,3 11,8 8 4 −0.5 −4.4 2,33

Oulu −13.6 −13.3 −8.8 −2.6 3,3 9 12,2 10,1 5,4 0,8 −5.5 −10.8 −1.15

Copenhagen

−1.7 −1.9 −0.4 2,4 7 10,8 12,9 12,6 9,7 6,1 2,4 −0.2 5

Cycling in Tampere• Population 220 000• 800 km’s of cycle paths,

including paths in the parks• Copenhagen: 400 km’s

• Mode share 2012: cycling 6 %, walking 25 %, busses 17 %, cars 45 %• Only one out six continues

cycling through the winter• Most of the cycle paths

combined with pedestrians

Tampere Winter Maintenance Researches 2013 & 2015Group of cyclists evaluating their daily routes•Four weeks in January-February•2013: 11 Cyclists. 2015: 23 Cyclists.•Web survey to fill up after the trip•Photos play important role in reporting•Basic question: ”How well would your granny be able to cycle here without winter tires?”

• Total 515 reports• Total 2231

grades for different routes • Average 3,26

Results 2015 General maintenance quality from 1 to 5

Bad maintenance vs. good maintenance

High quality routes•Plenty of room for snow•Good drainage•Well timed operations (especially with the clearing of the driveway)•More spacious streets•Right maintenance procedures for right time of the year•Separeted bicycle infrastucture. Bikelanes in Tampere are difficult for maintenance (mostly because of their poor design).

What makes the difference?

Wheather effects

Rainfall (mm/h)

Temperature (°C)

Grade (1 to 5)

Snow Depth (cm)

Problems & Solutions

Curb Stones

Solutions:1.Removal of curb stones from cycle tracks2.Contractors clearing the driway must be resposible for clearing the cyclist & pedestrian crossings too

Slush & mush

Solutions:1.Order of the snow clearing is the key for success. There must be good communication between contractors.2.Even streets are clear, there might be slush on cycle tracks. Better monitoring of cycle tracks would help.

Tracks & slush removal

The cycle track is all slush!Tractor is coming for help.

Oh yeah, he cleared it!

!@#%##!IT’S SAME FRIKKIN SLUSH – JUST FLATTEN!!

Solutions:1.Equipment must be right: ladle isn’t good for clearing cycle paths. Snow plow is much better.2.Drivers must be instructed: there is a lot you can do with right attitude & skills.3.Slush must be always removed before gritting.

© Pekka Tahkola

Storage of snow

Solutions:1.Room for the snow must be always designed when designing the street.2.Snow should be stored on parking spaces rather than cycle tracks.3.There must be better control for property owners snow. They shouldn’t store it on cycle tracks.

Better design

Solutions:1.More co-operation between different city departments from elderly people care to public transit and schools.2.“How would my granny ride here in the winter” –test for street plans.3.There will be more cyclists in the future. We have to prepare for it now.4.There will be faster cyclists in the future thanks to e-bikes. We have to prepare for it now.

Slipperiness

Solutions:1.Information about weather changes must go straight to contractors and drivers.2.Slush removal always before gritting.3.Different seasons need different solutions: autumn and spring calcium chloride is good, in mid-winter gravel

Bike parking in winter

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Good winter maintenance needs• Right attitude• Good prediction of weather

conditions• Right tools & equipment• Motivated & skilled staff• Well built infrastructure• High quality of leadership from

the city towards contractors• Resources• Monitoring & developing

(CC) WolfgangE

© Pekka Tahkola

© Pekka Tahkola

Matti KoistinenP. +358 44 2795588matti.koistinen@pyoraliitto.fi

More slides & shows about cycling (including this one):www.slideshare.net/pyoraliitto