An invitation to tender for preparing the 2020-2030 and Beyond Cycling Development Programme has been announced. The new programme will serve as a summary of recent achievements in cycling development, and also help us prepare for the new challenges ahead.
Another milestone
The past decade has been a period of the dynamic development of cycling in Warsaw. In 2009, Warsaw saw the introduction of “Bicycle Standards”, which helped to improve the quality of cycle paths (e.g. mandatory asphalt paving). In 2012, the first Veturilo city bikes appeared in Warsaw. The post of Ambassador for Cycling Communication, as it is known now, was also introduced in 2012.
And the Warsaw Cycle Path Development by 2020 Programme was introduced the following year. It was the first project of its type implemented in the city. Since the time of its inception, approximately 200 km of new cycle paths have been built. Seven years later, we see the need to evaluate both the success stories and failures in implementing the above-mentioned programme. On the basis of our experiences so far, we need to develop a new programme which will meet our current needs.
The new programme will consist of several elements. The selected contractor will be tasked with drafting a current state assessment and an implementation evaluation of the Warsaw Cycle Path Development by 2020 Programme. The contractor will also carry out a quantitative survey among the residents of Warsaw concerning their expectations of and barriers to cycling development. The next stage will entail a proposal for the target design of the cycle-path network and the submission of the 2020-2030 and Beyond Cycling Development Programme which will detail how the target design is to be achieved.
Consultations
The drafting of the programme will be subject to public consultation, so the residents will have an input in creating it. We hope that Varsovians will assist us by suggesting some less obvious locations for the paths, and solutions which will lead to an increase in cycling traffic. A quantitative survey with a representative sample of at least 1000 residents will be conducted by the contractor, in addition to public consultation. The goal is to obtain an in-depth understanding of the needs and expectations of the residents in terms of measures aimed at the development of cycling traffic in the city.
Where are we with the new programme?
An assessment of the present state of the cycling infrastructure (the length, quality, and cohesion of the paths), and cycling promotional and educational activities carried out by the City, will be the first steps in developing the new programme. A detailed analysis of the cycle path development programme implemented so far will also be of vital importance. We want to summarise the completed investments and their results, and also analyse the problems we have encountered during the implementation of the previous programme.
What is our goal?
We aim to develop the target design of Warsaw’s cycle paths, including connections to neighbouring communes. The cycle-path network should be developed in relation to the road network and green areas, and currently closed areas and passages through them (especially railway areas). The potential of a given location as a public transport interchange for developing mixed travel (e.g. bike + rail) will also be considered.
The contractor will also be tasked with developing a list of proposed investments with assigned priorities for implementation. These will be determined on the basis of a multi-criteria analysis, taking into account such factors as the cost of the investment and the difficulty of its implementation in relation to the expected results.
More than investments
Next to infrastructural investments, non-investment and “soft” measures are the second pillar of cycling development. As part of the work on the new programme, the contractor is to propose promotional activities and other improvements recommended for implementation in Warsaw as additional incentives to choose a bicycle for your everyday travels. The scope of the analysed issues will be wide, ranging from the standard of path maintenance (cleaning and snow clearance), and an analysis of changes to traffic organisation, to facilities such as showers and changing rooms at the workplace.
The quality is important
An attractive price is only one of the many criteria for this tender. Extra points can be obtained by proving experience in implementing a similar project in a city with more than 200 thousand residents, and where the proportion of cycling traffic is 12% or more. We would also like to encourage prospective contractors to prepare a summary of the programme in the form of an interactive map available to the residents – this is yet another way to gain extra points. We are open to cooperation with international experts who have experience in cycling development planning. In light of the above, all tender documents have been translated into English, and a notice has been published in Tenders Electronic Daily, the European public procurement journal.
We are waiting for your bids
You may access all tender documents on the Municipal Roads Authority website.
Bids may be submitted until 10 a.m. on 27 February 2020. If your tender is successful, your company will have 210 days from the signing of the contract to complete all the work.
<Link at the end of the articles> Tender documentation:
https://zdm.waw.pl/zamowienia_publiczne/zdm-um-dzp-119-pn-99-19/)