Study Visit by Canton of Aargau to Utrecht
9 September 2024On September 5th and 6th, 2024, a delegation from the Civil Engineering Office of the Canton of Aargau visited Utrecht to learn about the Dutch approach to cycling infrastructure design. The Dutch Cycling Embassy (DCE) organised an interactive and enriching programme, with contributions from internationally experienced Dutch experts Sjors van Duren (RHDHV) and Stefan Bendiks (Artgineering).
Day 1: an immersive introduction to Dutch Cycling
The DCE kicked off with a presentation on the development of Dutch cycling, followed by a Q&A. Sjors van Duren then discussed the Dutch methodology for cycling-friendly infrastructure design, focusing on intersections, with another Q&A session.
After a break, Stefan Bendiks presented on retrofitting in limited spaces, using Dutch and international examples and tying in examples of cycling promotion measures.
The morning concluded with lunch. In the afternoon, the group enjoyed a cycling tour from Utrecht to Houten and back, enjoying the late summer sunshine on the way.
Day 2: interactive workshop and collaborative learning
The second day started with a recap of the lessons learnt the previous day over coffee. Experts then presented on the Dutch approach to development, improvement and iteration, once again highlighting international case studies alongside Dutch ones to show what is possible in different cultural and geographic contexts.
The Swiss participants then engaged in break-out sessions, led by the Dutch experts, to brainstorm solutions, followed by presentations and peer reviews of their findings.
The visit concluded with a summary of key takeaways and a lunch, providing a final opportunity for networking and discussion.
This study visit offered the delegation from the Canton of Aargau valuable and inspiring insights into Dutch cycling infrastructure planning, enriching the participants’ professional knowledge and skills. We wish the team great success in applying these learnings to improve their local cycling infrastructure.
