Pro Velo supports referendum against highway expansion
Published: Saturday, Nov 11th 2023, 13:30
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The delegates of Pro Velo have decided to support the referendum against the highway expansion. They are calling for more funding for the "overdue expansion of cycling infrastructure".
On Saturday, the delegates' meeting of Pro Velo Schweiz adopted the resolution "No to the expansion of freeways - Yes to more cycle paths. With the promotion of car traffic, there is no money for the necessary shift to walking, cycling and public transport, said Matthias Aebischer, Bernese National Councillor and President of Pro Velo Schweiz, in a press release.
The billion-euro expansion of the highways makes driving more attractive and leads to more traffic. This, in turn, will flood the roads in villages and towns, putting additional strain on cyclists. The highway expansion also fundamentally contradicts the new net-zero targets anchored in the Climate Protection Act and hinders the urgently needed switch to climate-friendly and space-efficient forms of mobility, above all the bicycle.
At the end of September, Parliament decided to build or expand freeways at a cost of CHF 5.3 billion. A broad alliance of environmental associations launched a referendum against this. The VCS, which is leading the campaign, wants to collect the 50,000 signatures required for a referendum by the end of the year. The deadline for collecting signatures is January 18, 2024.
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