Enabling Beijing's vision in creating a cycling friendly city

The new Tongzhou District

One of the drivers for this modal shift was Beijing’s Municipal Masterplan, unveiled in 2009, which adjusted the spatial layout of the city and proposed 11 new ‘satellite cities’. The Tongzhou District, already known as the eastern gateway to the capital, was identified as the ideal candidate to be developed into the ‘sub-centre of Beijing’.

With the first city-level administrative organisations of the Municipal Government shifting to Tongzhou district in January 2019, the district is seeing significant growth and development within the compact urban space. In the design, layout and connection of these developments, the new district is to be a model of urban development – making walking and cycling an important contributor.

Haskoning was selected by the Beijing government to support the first phase of Tongzhou’s new, sustainable future: creating a concept for a world-class cycling highway that would set an example for the wider city.

Dutch legacy in cycling infrastructure

Working in close collaboration with our partner China Sustainable Transportation Centre (CSTC), Haskoning designed the Tongzhou Bicycle Planning Pilot. A 2.7 km cycling highway connecting Tongzhou’s municipal centre to the new neighbourhood, making it easier, safer and more accessible to commute by bicycle or foot, instead of using vehicles.

With our Dutch legacy in world-class cycling infrastructure, Haskoning’s human-centred approach to cycling and active travel resonated strongly with the Beijing municipal government.

Dr. Yang Jiang: ''Haskoning brings to this project world-class experience in sustainable transportation design that will support Beijing’s vision in creating a cycling friendly city. The Tongzhou Bicycle Planning Pilot is inspired by high quality Dutch design infrastructure and will play a transformative role in advancing green mobility within the city.''
This is Haskoning’s third cycling project in China, cementing the company’s track record of taking Dutch expertise and adapting it for the local market.

“We take a three-pronged approach to cycling here at Haskoning. By bringing together world-class cycling infrastructure design, a relentless focus on human factors to change behavior and journey patterns, augmented by in-depth knowledge on cycling policy advisories, we are enabling cities like Beijing to take concrete steps today to create a greener, healthier and more sustainable future for everyone.” Jasper Homrighausen, project manager at Haskoning.

Bike-friendly streets for Tongzhou

Our work on the Tongzhou Bicycle Planning Pilot included the conceptual design of a 2.7km cycling highway and a review of the design of bike-friendly streets in the neighbourhood to enhance conformity with the Dutch design standards when it comes to cycling.

In addition to the conceptual design of the cycling infrastructure, Haskoning architects also worked on the first concepts of a bicycle-walking bridge. Our architects were inspired by Chinese culture and concepts such as elegance and frozen silk which were used in their concepts. The bridge strived to integrate a cycling, walking and parking environment in one place. Various elements of these concepts were used in the final design.

With the opening of the route by Beijing’s Mayor, it is envisaged that the pilot will become a popular highway, acting as an exemplar of sustainable mobility for the whole city, and even the country.