Amsterdam Bike City Innovation Lab announces ‘Tunnelvisionair’ as winner for a more safe feeling on the bike!

Tunnels are being improved to tackle the social safety of cyclists
We all know that cycling is healthy and environmentally friendly. The bicycle is also becoming increasingly important as an alternative to the car and contributes to a car-free city and an accessible region. But cycling is not always experienced as pleasant. Think of cycling (alone) in the dark or in remote places, being cut off or called after and aggressive behavior. The cycling platform Amsterdam Bike City (ABC) of the municipality of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Transport Region therefore organized an innovation competition for improving the social safety of cyclists. On Wednesday 31 May, the Tunnelvisionair was declared the winner from the 31 entries.

In search of the most unpleasant tunnels
Mobility expert Goudappel has submitted the idea ‘Tunnel visionary’. In their entry, Goudappel stated that research has shown that bicycle tunnels are perceived as socially unsafe. Who hasn’t made a fake phone call, detoured or even stayed home because of a scary tunnel? The Tunnel Visionary wants to do something about this. In a television program of a local channel, he wants to look for the scariest tunnels in Amsterdam together with tunnel experts and improve these tunnels. Residents of Amsterdam can think along about this and cast their vote via social media. Temporary adjustments are then made in those five tunnels that are linked to the five senses. For example, artful lighting, the scent of flowers or music. After the test period, it can be determined – for example by conducting interviews with residents – which sense has the most influence on improving the cycling experience. The best improved tunnel will then be definitively improved and festively opened in the television programme. The Tunnelvisionair is committed to a positive experience of bicycle tunnels. This increases the feeling of social safety and the quality of bicycle rides in general.

Original solution to a broad problem

The jury was very enthusiastic about the idea of the Tunnelvisionair. Jury member Diederik Basta explains: “We think it’s a very original idea. Improving tunnels is not innovative in itself, because the municipality of Amsterdam and the Transport Region are already doing a lot about this. But by linking it to a television program, more attention is drawn to the problem. Dark unsavory tunnels are perceived by many people as unsafe and have a negative influence on the cycling experience. The Tunnel Visionary’s proposal has a clear and lasting impact on social security in the region. In short: this is really useful for the Amsterdam region!” During the award ceremony on 31 May, the number two ‘Put cyclists in the green spotlight’ was also put in the spotlight. In this proposal, traffic lights will be adjusted twice a year so that cyclists have more crossing time and motorists less. For example, when schools start again. The main goal is to focus on the bicycle as the first means of transport. The municipality of Amsterdam and the Transport Region will discuss the feasibility of their plan with the two best entrants. If the plans in the city and or in the region are good and feasible, they will receive a budget of € 15,000 to develop their idea. Goudappel receives € 1,000 prize money for the winning idea.

More people on bicycles

The municipality of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Transport Region want to get as many people as possible on bicycles. Both organizations therefore invest in, for example, good and safe cycling routes, bicycle parking spaces, cycling lessons and campaigns. Melanie van der Horst, traffic alderman of the municipality and chairman of the executive committee of the Transport Region: “Cycling is the way to enjoy the city. It is great that people have contributed ideas to make Amsterdam an even better cycling city. We are trying out last year’s winning plan in the city and I am also very curious about the development of Goudappel’s idea to make tunnels safer. This way we make cycling through Amsterdam even more pleasant.”