Car space turned into cycle space on Berlagebridge

When Berlagebridge opened in 1932, it had segregated sidewalks and a central area for tram, cars and bikes. Berlagebridge was an important new connection over river Amstel, for the adjacent Rivierenbuurt neighbourhood and more. From the 1950’s, the growing numbers of cars made cycling on Berlagebridge unpleasant and dangerous.

In 1982 an opportunity arose when the southern part of motorway A10 was opened. The new motorway with a new bridge over river Amstel provided extra capacity for cars. This was reason for Amsterdam’s Cyclists Union to plead for turning two car lanes on Berlagebridge into cycle paths. With success!

The bike lanes were of great benefit to cyclists. Car drivers had to adapt to the new situation. During the first days, huge traffic jams formed at Berlagebridge, but soon most car drivers found the new route via motorway A10.

However, two years later a new proposal suggested to turn the northern bike lane back into a car lane again. Cyclists would then have to travel via a narrow bike lane on the pavement. Joint action of Cyclists’ Union, schools and citizens prevented this. The bike lanes remained.
Some years later, the bike lanes were turned into the present grade separated bicycle paths.

Because cars on Berlagebridge made space for cycle paths, the connecting roads became less crowded with cars as well. This is one of the reasons that bicycle traffic in Amsterdam has been growing steadily since the 1990’s.
Also the strong increase in bicycle-train traffic contributes to the growth of cycling. Many cyclists on Berlagebridge go to the nearby Amstel train station.

To make space for the growing numbers of cyclists the intersection at the eastern end of Berlagebridge has been adapted. Cycle space has been expanded and made clearer. Similar measures are planned on the western side of Berlagebridge.

The measures are based on the study Desire Lines Analysis, in which cycle flows at several busy intersections are investigated.

The coming years Berlagebridge will be renovated. The bike paths will be widened from 2.10 metres to 2.40 metres. But the historic bridge cannot be enlarged and reducing space for cars and trams is not feasible either. The sidewalks will be narrowed from 3.5metres to 2.95 metres.

Turning car space into cycle space improved cycle safety and that led to more cycling. It also led to more efficient use of space. Berlagebridge can carry more people on bikes than in cars. To be honest, this was possible because the motorway provided new, and more, capacity for cars.

Berlagebridge is named after architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage. He made the urban plan for Rivierenbuurt, the 1930’s uighbourhood west of river Amstel. Rivierenbuurt is built in the typical Amsterdam School style, a modernistic style with interesting complex brickwork. Very worthwhile to take a look when you are here.