Latvia, European Mobility Week

As part of the European Mobility Week 2023, and following previous exchanges, a delegation from the Dutch Cycling Embassy visited Latvia. The delegation represented the software, orgware and hardware approach in person by the following representatives: Pepijn Verpaalen (Manager Better Biking, City of Amsterdam), Fjodor Molenaar (Official Commissioner for Traffic and Public Space, City of Amsterdam), Erik Klok (Senior Advisor Mobility and Energy, Roelofs), Shelley Bontje (Project Manager, Dutch Cycling Embassy). This mixture of representatives aligned well with the pre-discussed challenges and opportunities for cycling in Latvia. 

The first day began with a brief bicycle tour in the city centre of Riga, supported by Riga’s City Council staff. This provided the Dutch delegation the chance to gain insights about the current state of cycling in Riga before diving into the content. Riga is the capital of Latvia and by far the biggest urban agglomeration. The city has many plans, strategies and initiatives written out on paper concerning cycling. However, implementing these plans in practice has proven to be quite complex. 

In the afternoon, Inese Anderson, head of Riga City Council City Development Committee, welcomed the delegation at the City Counci. The day was concluded at the residence of Ambassador Pieterse, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Latvia, where the delegation among others met with Viesturs Silenieks chairman of the board of Lativa’s Cyclist Union.  

On the second day, the delegation travelled to the City of Liepaja. Liepaja is the third-largest city of Latvia and with a population of 70.000 citizens. Liepaja is compact, situated along the sea, and well-suited for active transportation. The city has been investing in cycling infrastructure and bicycle parking availability over the past decades. However, there are still areas for improvement, such as separating the bicycle network from the car network and increasing bicycle usage. Liepaja, like Riga, is part of the European Union’s 100 CO2 neutral cities program. 

Here the day started with a warm welcome by city officials from the city of Liepaja joint by city officials from the city of Kuldīga. After a presentation of the City of Liepaja about their ambitions to become climate neutral in 2023, an in-depth discussion followed including topics such as: Vision zero and how to change mind sets. The City of Amsterdam illustratively shared their insights about the Weesperstraat experiment early this summer. The in-depth discussion was followed by an informative bicycle tour throughout Liepaja including a visit to the sea front, newly opened bicycle facilities in neighbourhoods and connecting routes as well as a stop at a secondary school. Throughout the bicycle tour concrete tips, insights, and suggestions for potential improvement on the bicycle infrastructure as well as bicycle promotion programs where shared. In the afternoon the Dutch delegation joined the Seminar on Climate Change and Mobility offered by Green Tech Cluster of Liepaja in collaboration with Liepaja City and Embassy of the Netherlands in Latvia.   

On the final day, the delegation continued discussions with representatives from the City Council of Riga. The city representatives shared their ambitious plans for the coming years, including the opening of a new bicycle parking facility in the autumn, while also acknowledging challenges related to bicycle parking in some residential areas. 

As the cherry on the pie the delegation went on another bicycle route, which included stops at recently redesigned plaza’s, junctions, ongoing re-developments as well as a project which had to be changed back partly due to citizens and political resistance. Throughout the day various perspectives, ideas and potential solutions for currents and perhaps upcoming challenges where shared among and by all representatives present.  

The day was concluded with a panel discussion on the development of cycling, cycling culture and safety at the Riga Technical University. Hosted by the Faculty of Architecture. Various Latvian experts, including architecture pro-deacon Beãta Dambīte Sndra Treija, Mãris Jonovs, head of the association Drošas ielas (Safe streets) and Inese Andersone, Head of Riga City Deveopment Committee, joint the Dutch delegation for the panel (virtual and inperson) discussion. 

For this visit, the Dutch Cycling Embassy delegation is kindly supported by the Dutch Embassy based in Riga. We are grateful of the hard-working support of the Embassies’ team, in specific Indra Freiberga and ambassador Pieterse. As well, we truly appreciate the warm welcome which we received by the Riga City Council and Liepaja City Council and admire the great steps which are and have been taken, the drive to change is motivating!