Audits of local cycling investment in Sweden are paying off

Sweden's national cycling organisation says that its auditing service is helping municipalities to invest in the right cycling infrastructure projects. 

The audits of local investment into cycling infrastructure are carried out by Cykelfrämjandet, which promotes cycling transportation and recreation. 

For the past seven years the organisation has been carrying out annual audits, known as Kommunvelometern, comparing investments by different municipalities, says Cykelfrämjandet’s president Lars Strömgren.

“The audit measures local investment in infrastructure and associated documentation and maintenance and their effectiveness in improving traffic conditions,” he says. “Interest in the service increases every year and municipalities have successfully used the service to prioritise improvements.”

Strömgren says: “Cykelfrämjandet has been instrumental in developing the Swedish national cycling strategy, which has established a goal to increase ridership across all age groups and improve cyclists’ safety.”

He says the organisation has improved contact with politicians and decision-makers at a local, regional, national and international level through involvement in the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF). 

Lars Strömgren will reporting the latest findings of Cykelfrämjandet’s municipal cycling audits at Cycle City Active City.