Black Sea Bicycle Road
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
The Black Sea bicycle road answers the society's aspirations to create sustainable, inclusive and environmentally friendly solutions. It is aimed at improving the conditions for recreation, increasing sports and physical culture, creating new business opportunities. It is based on innovative solutions, exchange of knowledge and ideas between wide range of stakeholders. Passing through urban and rural regions the route will contribute to their transformation and green revitalisation.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
The initiative to build the Black Sea Bicycle Road is driven by society's aspirations to create sustainable, inclusive and environmentally friendly solutions. It is aimed at improving the conditions for recreation, increasing sports and physical culture, creating new business opportunities.
I presented the idea first to the Varna - European Youth Capital Association as the umbrella organisation of youth activists and initiatives in our city and who decided to support it with its European and international relations, administrative capacity and institutional recognition.
The concept is based on innovative solutions, exchange of knowledge and ideas between all participants in the process through cooperation between NGOs, public authorities, business, sports and educational institutions in the region including also landscape and urban designers, architects and engineers too. The passage of the route through urban and rural areas will contribute to their transformation and revitalisation through the active application of "green" and energy efficient technologies to improve the ecological environment, ensuring in the same time the aesthetic quality of the road with specific design code.
The Black Sea Bicycle Road envisages the gradual construction of connecting sections of bicycle roads and alleys, uniting the existing bicycle paths of the road network of the regions and the countries around the Black Sea basin. The route is designed for all nature lovers - cyclists, pedestrians and athletes and will allow for electric scooters and bicycles use. Special attention will be paid to the accessibility of the route for people with special needs - the construction of dedicated approaches and ramps for conventional and electric wheelchairs.
Subject of this proposal is the first lot of the proposed route - Varna - Balchik velo road, which will serve as a pilot and example for the next stages of the concept.
Key objectives for sustainability
The key tree objectives in the proposal are green, inclusive and self reliant action.
Green
Green mobility powered by green energy. Design and construction of ON GRID photovoltaic charging multifunctional stations for electrified vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric scooters, electric wheelchairs and others.
Use of innovative technologies for environmental protection by developing a strategy for inclusion of recycled materials in the construction of pavements along the route;
Use of green technologies for road lighting, signalisation and road marking;
Inclusive
Active cooperation with all stakeholders to supplement and develop the existing standards for the construction of bicycle lanes in each country, allowing for wide access and inclusion of all types of users and operators;
Design oriented toward functional access and service for the less privileged
Self-reliant economically
Sale of unused electricity generated by photovoltaic stations in the energy transmission network to cover investment costs and ensure financial sustainability.
Cooperation with business sector to insure financial sustainability of the maintenance of the infrastructure.
Organising trainings and educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of the project;
Possible synergies with existing projects in the region like CityChangerCargoBike funded by the Horizon 2020 that aims to reduce the noise rates, the CO2 emissions and greener way of delivery. 6 semi-electric cargo bikes modified in 3 different types were designed in Varna and are already in operation. www.cargobikesvarna.com
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Design as an interdisciplinary part of the structural idea of a green economy in the 21st century will determine the aesthetic proportions of the project by presenting the following solutions:
1, To offer a high degree of organic integration of the route in the landscape characteristics.
The motto "Think green in an aesthetic aspect" is manifested in achieving harmony with the environment, including through the used colours, shapes of the facility and the lighting design.
2. To apply the ergonomic standards and use according to them innovative materials and technologies, when designing the infrastructure for the rest areas, parking lots for charging, playgrounds and hygienic facilities.
3. To propose a single graphic, colour and shape layout of the sign and information system along the route and unite this concept into a single design code.
These tasks will be opened for development on a specific assignment to teams of teachers and students in specialties: graphic design, industrial design, urban and children's environment design, as well as other related specialties in universities and design schools in Varna and the country.
Active cooperation with all stakeholders to develop and complete the existing standards for the construction of bicycle lanes in each country with specific design code.
Key objectives for inclusion
Building a partnership network of representatives of public institutions, organisations, and academia;
Building a partnership network with interested private companies, representatives of branch organisations, as well as involvement of small and medium business;
Overcoming segregation through broad participation of local communities in the processes;
Revival of spaces by passing sections of the route through them;
Involvement of students and young scientists in the development of routes;
Design of the infrastructure with special attention for accessibility of people with disabilities and less privileged.
Innovative character
Social innovation
Active lifestyle, inclusiveness - access for all, public health and environmental awareness rising
Green innovation
New mobility concept - bicycles, e-scooters, e-bicycles, pedestrians, hiking, wheelchairs - all kind of non motorised leisure vehicles are welcome for the exploration of the beautiful roads along the Black sea basin.
Use of recycled materials - use of innovative technologies for environmental protection by developing a strategy for inclusion of recycled materials in the construction of pavements along the route.Partnership with existing private businesses recycling old tyres, plastics and textile in the region of Varna;
Green mobility powered by green energy. Use of sustainable energy from photovoltaic sources. Design and construction of ON GRID photovoltaic charging multifunctional stations for electrified vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric scooters, electric wheelchairs and others. Use of green technologies for road lighting, signalisation and road marking;
Economic innovation
Sustainable tourism, linking people one with others. Closer to the nature and more friendly way to travel short (or long) distances at no fees. Public private partnership ensuring the economic self-reliance of the project in terms of investment and maintenance.
Sale of unused electricity generated by photovoltaic stations in the energy transmission network to cover investment costs and ensure financial sustainability.
