Cycling Strategy Implementation Consulting

Client
Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole (France)

Time Frame
2021-2024

Partners
Présents
Inno-V
Prima Groupe

Urban Design
Cycling Strategy
Communication & Wayfinding
Research & Education

Project Summary

Copenhagenize is leading a consortium of 4 companies in a four year cycling mobility project for 3M. The primary mandate is to aid the metropolis in the implementation of their cycling network, called the Vélolignes montpelliéraines, but several smaller projects to advance their comprehensive and ambitious cycling policy are also included.

• Bicycle urbanism essentials workshops  

A series of workshops were hosted at the beginning of the project so all stakeholders and technicians could quickly learn the key elements of implementing quality cycling infrastructure, specific designs for the project, and the overall approach to deploy as the base of all planning projects and products. 

• Development of implementation, feasibility, and AVP-PRO studies

Copenhagenize worked with 3M to carry out planning and feasibility studies for making over existing routes with secured, intuitive, and user-friendly cycling infrastructure. We studied the best designs and configurations for the cycling network, the context, and the potential number of  users. A specific focus was put managing intersections and interactions with pedestrians, public transport, et vehicle parking. We also studied opportunities to add more services for bicycle users: bicycle parking, foot rests, etc. 

When possible tactical temporary solutions were proposed to quickly improve the bicycle network in response to the boom in cycling, while leaving room to incorporate feedback and make adjustments before building the final long term design. 

Roads studied: cycling ring, avenue Flahault-Ganges, avenue du Mondial 98, avenue de Nîmes, avenue de Toulouse. 

• Bicycle parking as part of the Local intercommunal urbanisme plan (PLUi) 

Copenhagenize supported the metropolitan area in developing bicycle parking regulations as part of their new local intercommunal urbanisme plan (PLUi). The goal was to guarantee that space for private bicycle parking adequately met the objectives of the metropolitan area in both quantity and quality. To begin, we established national and international benchmarks to determine ambitious standards, the most advantageous calculation methods, interesting initiatives, and newly emerging topics. Next, content was proposed to draft the PLUi article: fields of application, design, key dimensions and characteristics, standard minimums according to destination and sub-destination, user services. 

• Creation of a bicycle infrastructure design reference 

• Advice and recommendations for current bicycle projects 

• Development of the visual identity and branding for the Vélolignes montpelliéraines network, from wayfinding to operational implementation (intersection sheets, mapmaking, totems)

Copenhagenize worked with the metropolitan area to define their cycling wayfinding strategy for its Vélolignes montpelliéraines network. The wayfinding enables the network to easily be identified and followed by users during their trip. Branded ground markings, informative and directional totems will be deployed throughout the network. To assist the metropolitan area in this endeavor, Copenhagenize produced operational guides: map files, template for the back and front of the totems, and ground markings. Copenhagenize also monitored and supported the implementation process by providing a number of intersection sheets.