Cycling in Geneva

Geneva’s cycling policy focuses on three targets:

• studying the requirements, deficiencies and solutions regarding the cycling policy;
• improving the safety and comfort of cyclists;
• promoting cycling, in collaboration with associations and cantonal and federal authorities.

It puts forward management projects for roads and public areas which facilitates and safeguards bicycle journeys. These projects are submitted to the canton (Transport department) which is the relevant authority for road works.

To promote bike use, it supports the Genèveroule (Geneva on the move) association which provides bikes free for public use during the high season. It also supports the Geneva Pro Bike association which organises the Bicycle Saturdays event and provides cycling classes. It also edits:

• The Geneva cycling map and the GE area cycling map in collaboration with the Government of Geneva;
• cycling-tours - cycling discovery trails;
• three marked “cyclexplore” trails.

These initiatives aim to facilitate bicycle access, spread awareness of designated routes and allow new cyclists to feel more comfortable in traffic through better knowledge of their rights and responsibilities.

Useful information and safety advice for cyclists

• Cycling maps and itineraries
• Useful information and safety rules for cyclists
• Successful cycling  

Geneva, bicycle city: a brief history

The public initiative dated 4 June 1989 asked for the establishment of a network of cycle paths. Accepted by 82% of voters, this exceptional result shows the interest bicycles generate in the population of Geneva. Since then, the City of Geneva has been working relentlessly on the development of this project. To date, bicycle traffic has significantly increased and forms an alternative to the congested road network.

Bicycle figures

The Geneva City cycling network covers more than 59% of the 220 Km of municipal roads:

• 9% cycle paths;
• 20% cycle lanes;
• 9% multi-use paths;
• 4% shared with bus lanes;
• 58% with no specific designation on roads with restricted traffic (pedestrian zones, 20 and 30km/h zones).