Latvia

For decades Latvian city and transport planning practice was car-oriented and rapid growth of the number of passenger vehicles has occurred (after 2000). Continuous urban sprawl around larger cities, particularly in Riga has resulted in rising numbers of cars commuting daily from outskirts to the working places that are mostly located at the city center thus causing enormous pressure on the environment. Although cycling in last years has increased – in Riga, the percentage of people using bicycles daily is 4.2% and of those using bicycle once a week is 18.2% (LATRIT survey of 2013). According to a regular survey data, the number of cyclists in Riga has increased five times in 2013 compared to 2008.

The Sustainable Development Strategy of Riga until 2030 accommodates the mobility principle in favor of cycling, walking or public transport in the core of the city rather than using one`s private car.

While the city center and its closest areas are most attractive for everyday cycling, commonly applied city planning practices in Latvia have suffered from car-centric design and suburban sprawl. In order to efficiently transform planning approaches towards livable public spaces and multi-modal street design, city planners are in high need for targeted expert advice to make major improvements in the cycling infrastructure design.

Cyclurban partners in Latvia:
Union of Latvian Cyclists
Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia