As part of the European project Handshake, the Dutch consultancy firm Decisio examined the social cost benefit ratio of cycling infrastructure. The findings show that investing in cycling infrastructure is often a highly sensible use of public funds.
The Handshake project brings together fourteen European cities to exchange knowledge and expertise on cycling policy and infrastructure. Alongside renowned cycling cities such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Munich and Bordeaux, Bruges is also participating.
The innovative cycling solutions are evaluated from a socio‑economic perspective using the concept of Bikenomics. This approach identifies and quantifies the social benefits (such as improved health and reduced emissions) and the associated costs.
Case study: cycling infrastructure in Bruges
For the Bruges social cost benefit analysis, Decisio selected the renewed cycling connection between Sint‑Michiels and the city centre. The project cost €24.5 million and included several interventions, such as eliminating a high‑risk junction at Koning Albert I‑laan x Spoorwegstraat (via the balcony roundabout), constructing the Passanten cyclists’ bridge, and creating an underpass beneath the railway for cyclists and pedestrians.
To calculate the social benefits, Decisio analysed various data sources: police accident data, air‑quality measurements from the Bruges city laboratory, and the impact on traffic flow and travel times using data from De Lijn.
The analysis shows that the €24.5 million investment (plus expected management and maintenance costs of €5.5 million) generated a social return of €45 million. In other words, the benefits are 1.5 times greater than the costs. Put simply: every euro invested in this project yields €1.50 in social value.
“Bruges is not an exception,” says Kees van Ommeren of Decisio. “Almost every case examined in this European project demonstrates that investing in cycling infrastructure is fiscally sound.”
Mayor Dirk De Fauw adds: “This research shows that choosing to make Bruges a cycling city was a wise decision, also from a financial perspective. It confirms our commitment to building a human‑centred city where mobility serves the city and its residents, not the other way around. The Handshake project provides us with even more supporting evidence.”
Wout Baert, programme manager at Fietsberaad Vlaanderen, continues: “Cycling policy always pays off. More and more cities and municipalities recognise this. Calculations show that every kilometre cycled generates €0.40 in social value. That’s why we urged Flemish municipalities to double their cycling budgets. Policies that encourage people to choose the bicycle over the car, whatever the journey, create social value. We all benefit from that, in every sense.”
More information
Would you like more information about Decisio and its research on cycling, cycling infrastructure and cycling behaviour? Please visit: ‘cycling and walking’.
