Lisbon, one of the chosen 10 global cities, has been honored with the prestigious Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI) award. On World Bike Day, June 3rd, in New York, Bloomberg Philanthropies presented Lisbon with the award for the first time.
This recognition comes with a substantial grant of $400,000, dedicated to enhancing Lisbon’s cycling infrastructure and promoting sustainable transportation options for both residents and visitors.
The primary goal of BICI is to assist Lisbon in increasing its cycling rates and fostering community well-being through the development of cyclist-friendly lanes. To achieve this, the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) will provide their expertise in project development, designing cycling frameworks, gathering data, and conducting resident research.
Lisbon’s remarkable architecture brings its own advantages but also poses challenges for cyclists due to the narrow and steep cobbled streets. Overcoming these challenges requires the assistance of GDCI to create accessible and safe bicycle lanes for all.
Skye Duncan, the Executive Director of GDCI, highlighted in a press release that constructing secure and interconnected bicycle routes is not only beneficial for the environment and economy but also for the physical and mental well-being of individuals.
Research has shown that prioritizing cycling infrastructure in a city leads to social and environmental advantages, contributing to a happier and healthier lifestyle for the community.
From June 26th to 29th, Bloomberg Philanthropies and GDCI will organize a meeting in London, bringing together representatives from Lisbon and the other nine winning cities. This meeting will kickstart the planning process and facilitate the exchange of ideas among the ten destinations. Michael R. Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg LP, mentioned in a press release that substantial technical assistance will be required to make cycling safer and more accessible. He emphasized that the efforts made by these cities to promote cycling will also yield benefits such as improved air quality, environmental preservation, and economic growth.
According to a press release, the competition, launched at the CityLab summit in Amsterdam in October, received over 275 applications from 66 countries across six continents. Bloomberg Philanthropies, the philanthropic organization founded by Michael Bloomberg, is responsible for organizing this competition, which is associated with Bloomberg CityLab.
The other nine cities receiving the award collectively represent a population of 15 million people worldwide. Each city has distinct plans for enhancing their cycling infrastructure, such as building new protected lanes, improving safety at intersections, and connecting existing cycling networks.
Lisbon’s selection for the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ BICI grant demonstrates the city’s commitment to becoming a modern, cycling-friendly urban center. With the generous grant of $400,000, Lisbon has an incredible opportunity to transform itself into a more cycle-friendly city, showcasing its potential for a greener future.
This initiative to improve cycling infrastructure and promote sustainable transportation options is not limited to Lisbon but resonates with cities worldwide that aspire to build greener communities. It is crucial to support and encourage such projects as they contribute to global efforts in combating climate change. These grants will enable these ten cities to take significant steps towards creating a better tomorrow.
