E.U. and German government build
bike lanes valued at $480,000-plus

A bike lane, also known as a cycle lane, valued at €400,000 (about $481,572) was built between the cantons of Montes de Oca and Curridabat in San José Province.

According to the European Union, EUROCLIMA + is a regional cooperation program that promotes environmentally sustainable and climate change resilient development in 18 Latin American countries.

The bike line measuring 4 kilometers was built by the Center for Environmental Law, the German government agency for International Cooperation, GIZ, and the Ministry of Transport.

“I am very pleased that our Euroclima + program has financed and been part of a project like this since it is a successful example that includes the actions of many actors; the EU, a member state,  Costa Rican institutions such as ministries, municipalities, society and the community," María Antonia Calvo, ambassador of the European Union said.

The new route "responds to the imminent needs of mobility in the face of climate change and will allow promoting urban cycling as a means of transport," the Ministry of Transport said in its statement.

The design of the road took into account the biker profile, the areas of public transport, the speeds, level areas, the connection between the two cantons, the most frequent destinations in the route, among other factors.

According to Claudia Dobles, first lady and promoter of green transportation, this new route helps advance the government's National Decarbonization plan.

"More people on bicycles means more health and less traffic bottleneck, so we hope to continue working to provide spaces that promote healthy and sustainable mobility," Dobles said.

This is the second project developed by GIZ in recent months promoting green transportation in the country.


In Dec. 2020, Martina Nibbeling-Wriessnig, the German ambassador in Costa Rica, made the official delivery of three electric buses to the government.

Vehicles produce about 44% of net carbon dioxide emissions in the country according to the government. The buses that arrived in the country in September are part of a pilot plan for the development of the electrification of public transportation.

“These electric buses will have a great impact: it is the first step towards decarbonization," Ambassador Nibbeling said. "This makes them a symbol of the joint struggle of Costa Rica and Germany against climate change and for a better life for all people."

The 12-meter-long buses have a capacity of 80 passengers. In addition to being able to make trips of 250 kilometers for each battery charge.

Buses are expected to be traveling routes between the Desamparados Canton to San José Province, a second route from San José Province to La Unión Canton in Cartago Province and the third route between San José Province and Alajuela Province.

The government’s National Decarbonization Plan goal is set for the year 2035, where 30% of the public transport fleet must have zero emissions, according to Andrea Meza, Minister of the Environment.


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How should the government continue developing its National Decarbonization Plan during the pandemic?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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