On Tuesday, June 9, the government approved amendments proposed by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to Cabinet regulations governing the project “Improved Bicycle Infrastructure” funded by the Recovery Fund (RF).The amendments were introduced to clarify the conditions for implementing the investment in line with the actual progress of projects, revising the distribution of quantitative indicators while also reducing the administrative burden for funding recipients—the project implementers.
The changes ensure that the regulations correspond to the factual implementation of the projects and support more efficient management of investments. They do not affect the amount of RF funding, the range of beneficiaries, or project deadlines, nor do they hinder the achievement of planned results. The amendments are important both for municipalities implementing cycling infrastructure projects and for the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFLA), which continues to oversee cost eligibility and progress toward targets.
For the development of bicycle infrastructure in the Riga metropolitan area, €34.5 million in funding was allocated from the Recovery Fund. Projects involving the construction, reconstruction, renewal, improvement, or adaptation of bicycle paths are being implemented by five municipalities: the City of Riga, Ropaži municipality, Ķekava municipality, Mārupe municipality, and Ādaži municipality.
The development of bicycle infrastructure is an important prerequisite for improving connectivity between neighborhoods, enhancing convenience for residents in reaching their destinations, and improving environmental quality in the regions. The creation of a unified bicycle infrastructure network is part of the Ministry of Transport’s reform on greening the transport system of the Riga metropolitan area, for which a total of €295 million in Recovery Fund financing has been allocated.
