The Safest Cities for Cyclists and Pedestrians: Inspiration for the Czech Republic and the future of mobility

With the growing emphasis on sustainability, healthy lifestyles and safety, cities around the world are transforming into places where walking and cycling can be done safely and comfortably. The safety of cyclists and pedestrians is crucial not only for the health of residents, but also for the quality of public space and the environment. Some cities are already showing what the future of mobility should look like. And what can our cities learn from the best?

According to the World Health Organization, road accidents are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. More than 3,700 people die on the roads every day, with 26% of all victims being pedestrians and cyclists. In Europe, there were almost 140,000 road accidents in 2019, of which around 25,000 involved pedestrians and cyclists. However, in countries that have decided to give their public space back to people and their safety, this number has been decreasing over the long term. The key to success is primarily investing in infrastructure, reducing speed and the number of cars that literally overran our cities in the last century. And which European cities are reaping the greatest successes in this effort to return cities to people?

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen has long been considered a cycling mecca. Almost half of the city’s residents cycle to work every day. The city has over 390 km of separate cycle paths, designed with safety in mind. In addition to cyclists, pedestrians are also given great attention here – urban planning prioritizes pedestrian zones and traffic calming. The Danish metropolis has also introduced a “green wave” for cyclists – if you ride at a constant speed of around 20 km/h, you will pass several traffic lights without stopping.

Demonstration of segregated infrastructure in Copenhagen

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is, without exaggeration, synonymous with cycling. Over 60% of all journeys in the city are made by bike. Thanks to a comprehensive network of cycle paths, cycle lanes and strict separation of cyclists from car traffic, the city is exceptionally safe for two-wheelers.
Safety measures such as speed limits, special traffic lights for cyclists and thorough education contribute to the low number of accidents.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna prides itself on being a city for people. It has an excellent pedestrian infrastructure and its network of cycle paths is expanding every year. In 2022, Vienna was named one of the best cities for walking in Europe. The city regularly calms traffic in residential areas and creates “shared zones” where pedestrians have priority. In 2020, Vienna recorded only 3 fatal cyclist accidents, with the city taking pride in constantly improving its cycling infrastructure and urban pedestrian zones.

Utrecht, Netherlands

Although smaller than Amsterdam, Utrecht is one of Europe’s top cycling destinations. It has the world’s largest bicycle parking lot and almost all of its main roads have safe bike lanes, making it quick and safe to get around the city.

Dutch cycling infrastructure is essentially the street norm

Oslo, Norway

Oslo is an example of a city that has dramatically changed its transportation policy in recent years. Since 2019, it has banned most car traffic in the city center and invested in safe streets for pedestrians and cyclists. The result is not only greater safety, but also a significant reduction in emissions.

Vision 0: Zero tolerance for fatal accidents

The Vision Zero concept originated in Sweden in 1997 and its main goal is simple but ambitious: no fatal or serious traffic accidents. But it is not just about traffic rules. The key is a change in mindset – adapting the infrastructure to people, not cars.

Main principles of Vision 0:

• People make mistakes, but they should not be fatal for them.
• Safety is a priority in the design of streets and intersections.
• Shared responsibility between planners, politicians and the public.

Cities like Oslo or Helsinki are examples of successful implementation – no pedestrians or cyclists died in Oslo in 2019. Stockholm or New York are introducing stricter speed rules, pedestrian crossings and investing in separate bicycle infrastructure.

Czech cities: where do we stand and where should we be heading?

Prague

Prague has an extensive network of pedestrian routes, but cyclist safety is still a weak point. The city is investing in the development of cycle paths (e.g. the Vltava route), but in heavy traffic, movement is still problematic for less experienced cyclists. To achieve the standards of Western European metropolises, greater emphasis is needed on separating cyclists from cars, calming traffic in the center, and expanding pedestrian zones.

Brno

Brno is trying to support cycling and walking, but the infrastructure is still fragmented. In recent years, the city has been expanding the number of cycle lanes, but they often end abruptly or lead through busy traffic. A positive example is the revitalization of the center with an emphasis on pedestrian movement (e.g. Dominikánské náměstí).

Olomouc, Pardubice, Hradec Králové

Smaller cities often have more potential to become bike-friendly due to their smaller size and lower traffic load. Pardubice, for example, has a long history of promoting cycling and has a relatively dense network of trails. Hradec Králové is known for its efforts to balance different modes of transport and also places an emphasis on safe crossings.

Safe streets are the key to our children’s future

Recommendations for Czech cities

Consistent implementation of the Vision Zero strategy – adopting measures according to proven international models.
Traffic calming in city centers – reducing speed to 30 km/h in residential areas, introducing car-free zones.
Safe and separate cycle paths – cyclists should not share space with cars on busy roads.
High-quality urban furniture and public space – benches, trees, drinking fountains and well-lit sidewalks increase comfort and safety.
Training and awareness – invest in campaigns that increase respect between drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Safety as a priority for sustainable mobility

The path to safer cities is not easy, but it is achievable. The key is the courage to change priorities: from cars to people. Cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Oslo or Utrecht prove that a safe urban environment, where emphasis is placed on cyclists and pedestrians, can significantly contribute to lower accident rates and improved quality of life. Czech cities have a lot to catch up on to join the modern European settlements of the 21st century, in which people do not have to fear for their lives on the streets.

Add your signature to our Call 0 for safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. Demand change, a safe and healthy city for all.

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