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Street modernization
Street modernization in Vilnius
In May 2024, P. Vileišio Street in the Antakalnis district was redesigned to become Lithuania’s first true bicycle street, where cyclists have equal rights with motorists. A bicycle street is a new format, a traffic control measure in Lithuania, which only appeared in 2022.
Progress of the street modernization project
About the streets modernization
Street modernization involves the modernization of connecting streets surrounded by residential buildings. By utilizing the same street space, safer and more convenient movement is created for pedestrians and users of micro-mobility vehicles.
Goals
Improving the safety of the most vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.)
Improving the living environment and quality of life by reducing traffic, noise, and air pollution
Promote alternative modes of transport: walking, cycling, public transport
Results
13% fewer cars
17% lower speed
54% fewer traffic accidents
60% fewer traffic accidents involving pedestrians
20% fewer collisions with cyclists/scooter riders
*Data for Vilnius city after changes were made to modernized streets.
Criteria
When selecting streets, the following key criteria are taken into account within a 100-meter radius:
Population
Number of workplaces
Condition of pedestrian paths
Education institutions and schools
Number of traffic accidents recorded over four years
Urban infrastructure development plans and project continuity
Examples implemented by Vilnius city
Širvintų st.
Širvintų st., reconstructed in 2022, became one of the first modernized public streets where both cars and pedestrians and cyclists share the space. Priority is given to pedestrian traffic.
P. Vileišio st.
In May 2024, P. Vileišio Street in the Antakalnis district was redesigned to become Lithuania’s first true bicycle street, where cyclists have equal rights with motorists.
Gerosios Vilties st.
Gerosios Vilties Street was modernized in 2022. Previously a transit street, the changes made it safer, more convenient for most travelers, and, most importantly, significantly greener and more pleasant.
Naugarduko st.
The first street to be modernized was Naujamiesčio Street. In 2018, the principles of street modernization began to be applied there. The street became more attractive for the most vulnerable road users, and additional space was created for cyclists.
Examples from foreign countries
Paris. School streets
School streets have common features: traffic restrictions near schools or kindergartens – only pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles with special permits are allowed to enter the school street zone.
Utrecht. Common spaces
In this particular example, the street looks more like a shopping street or pedestrian street, so after this redesign, cars drive more slowly, and because the curb has been minimized, drivers feel like they are in a pedestrian world.
Ljubljana. Pedestrian streets
The street was completely reconstructed and adapted for pedestrian traffic only: parking lots were completely removed and replaced with outdoor seating areas for restaurants. New stone paving was laid.
Turin. Pedestrian streets
Panaikinta važiuojamoji gatvės dalis, išplėsti pėsčiųjų šaligatviai bei įrengtas dviračių takas, sumontuoti suoliukai, įrengtos vietos želdiniams, pakeistas grindinys, labiau primenantis pėstiesiems, o ne automobiliams skirtą gatvę.
