Äänekoski's walking and cycling promotion program is progressing
Towards more efficient routes!
The city of Äänekoski has taken significant steps to promote walking and cycling. The city of Äänekoski has received funding of 18 euros from Traficom for the creation of a program to promote walking and cycling, and the city organized a resident survey in the spring, the answers of which will be used in developing the program. The project is part of the active climate and environmental work of the city of Äänekoski.
The program is drawn up together with the residents
85 responses were received to the resident survey. Most of the respondents' movement is driven by car, but the answers to the survey show that the people of Tunakoski appreciate the opportunities for walking and cycling. In particular, the answers showed that residents often consciously choose a bicycle as an alternative to a car.
However, the attractiveness of cycling is hampered by shortcomings in the infrastructure. Residents gave Äänekoski's cycling conditions a rating of 0 on a scale of 4-2, which indicates a clear need for development.
- The residents' survey showed that the people of Tänekoski are active people, but there is room for improvement in the conditions. Better and safer walking and cycling routes are wanted for Äänekoski and the city has a strong will to promote it, environment manager Hanna Ahonen says.
- The purpose of the walking and cycling promotion program is to improve traffic safety and also utilize residents' views to make movement smoother. In this way, the problems can be identified and the right kind of measures can be allocated to them, so that the development measures meet the needs of the townspeople. Measures can vary from simple and inexpensive measures to more expensive road improvements, developer Jukka Karppinen says.
When the program is ready, the city of Äänekoski has the opportunity to apply for support from Traficom for half of the costs of the projects.
- Cooperation between the residents, the city and the financier is the key to smoother and more comfortable everyday walking and cycling in Äänekoski, says Hanna Ahonen.
Trustees have also been invited to participate in the preparation of the program and a survey was organized for them during the spring, the answers of which will be taken into account in the program.
Last year, in connection with Liikuntaforum, residents' experiences about walking and cycling routes were collected, and those answers will also be used.
Amazing landscapes and mountains
At the beginning of June, the people of the town of Äänekoski made a cross-country trip to Äänekoski, and the group cycled a 13-kilometer run during one afternoon, taking notes along the route.
- Äänekoski's walking and cycling routes by nature and water bodies are really beautiful, and there are not equally beautiful routes in all cities. It is the absolute wealth of Äänekoski and we want to improve it in the future, and the functionality of the routes must be developed, says Ahonen.
Observations were also made on issues such as the condition of the routes and asphalt, roads, traffic signs, signs, bicycle parking facilities and benches at rest areas. The city takes care of correcting the observations and they are taken into account in the promotion program.
Residents can report their observations to the city via the feedback service aanekoski.fi/palaute.
In a joint workshop between the city and various stakeholders on June 11.6.2024, XNUMX, the results of the resident survey and best practices from elsewhere were reviewed, and what kind of walking and cycling opportunities are desired for Äänekoski. The workshop included e.g. employees of the city's various industries, representatives of the Council for the Elderly and the Youth Council.
- We had a really active and enthusiastic workshop, thanks Ahonen.
Workshop work will continue in September. The project will end and the Äänekoski city's walking and cycling promotion program will be completed at the end of 2024.
The raffle winners of the resident survey have been contacted personally.
For more information:
Developer Jukka Karppinen, 040 559 1632, jukka.karppinen@aanekoski.fi
Environmental manager Hanna Ahonen, 0400 893 683, hanna.ahonen@aanekoski.fi
News published, modified 16.8.2024 at 09:34