Reykjavík City encourages cycling in all seasons. The city is building an extensive path system just for cycling which is kept open all year round, even in winter when snow and ice cover the city. Over 30 km of new cycle paths will be built in the next five years. More and more people rely on the bicycle as their main mode of transport.
A system of walking and cycling paths has been developed to enable the people of Reykjavík – and visitors – to travel around the city in a safe, pleasant and environmentally friendly manner. Many main roads can be crossed via pedestrian/cycle bridges and underpasses, and paths pass through popular recreational areas such as the Elliðaár valley and along the coastline on Ægissíða on the southern side of the city.
Stopping places
There are stopping places where cyclists and walkers can recover their breath, consume refreshments, enjoy the view and see maps of the path system. Various factors determine the choice of these stopping places, including providing cyclists approaching Reykjavík from the surrounding areas with a convenient means of leaving the arterial roads.
Maps
At each stopping place there is a stand with a map on each side; one is a general map of the Metropolitan Area, the other a detailed map of the immediate vicinity.The general map shows the type, number and length of the paths and also the locations of hospitals, the airport and camping sites. The local maps cover areas extending 2-4 km from the stopping places, with information of immediate interest to the traveller, including the location of museums, churches, swimming pools, etc. Benches by the paths are also shown, and sketches of buildings that can be used for orientation.
Signposting and numbers
Reykjavík’s system of walking and cycling paths is based on a Danish model and follows the same numbering system as the national roads.The numbering system is common to the whole Metropolitan Area and can in fact be used for path systems all over the country.
Maintenance and development work is carried out on the path system each year, including updating of the maps at the stopping places.