CYCLE ROADS ALONG THE DANUBE IN HUNGARY

Krisztina Kovács

1 The cycling tradition in Hungary

In Hungary cycling has a long tradition. In the past people mainly used bicycles for transportation in their daily life. For decades the main vehicle in the countryside, in extensive settlements or between towns and small farms was the bicycle. With the development of motorization, with an increasing traffic the bicycle once very popular and cheap became "undesirable", a troublesome part of transportation.

Today cycling is receiving more significance and importance in the sports and leisure activities of the average Hungarian. Bicycling has become a lifestyle. Approximately 300.000 – 350.000 bicycles per year can be sold in Hungary, which is three times the number of car-sales. In many country towns and villages the proportion of trips made by bicycle already reaches the average found in the Netherlands, and this proportion will increase. We can also observe a huge growth in the number of cycling tourists coming to Hungary and also in the number of Hungarians doing bicycle tourism in their own country.

The advantages of bicycling are the environmentally friendly transportation, the acquaintance with a healthy lifestyle and the promotion of tourist attractions. Bicycle tourism can play a very important role in the economic development of the countryside, the exportation of national heritage sights, protected natural areas as well as recreational and camping sites.

2 The European cycle route network

The European Cyclist Federation was established in 1995. The main goals of the Federation are the development and expansion of the European cycle route network which is called "EuroVelo". It is meant to support the development of bicycle tourism and foster the regional connections as well as the popularisation of cycling as a means of transportation. Linking various countries to this network enhances the level of services and supports. The plan includes the establishment of healthy lifestyle, the protection of nature and environment and the improvement of an increasingly easy cross-border traffic in the international tourism offers.
Illustration: EUROVELO since 1995

There are two EuroVelo cycle routes in Hungary: routes number 6 and 11. These international cycle roads follow the Danube and the River Tisza.

3 Cycle roads along the Danube

Budapest

In the capital city there are approximately 100 km of cycle routes - most of them are connected to each other. Along the Danube there is a safe cycle path on the right bank, which is liked very much by tourists and the citizens of Budapest as well. The cycle route leads through the most beautiful part of the capital allowing the cyclist a view of the marvellous panorama of the Castle and the Danube, a part of the world heritage.

The Danube bend

The Budapest-Leányfalu cycle path is among the most beautiful cycle roads in Hungary. The road leads through historical city parts (Óbuda, Szentendre) and natural landscapes like the Gallery Forest etc. The good quality and safe road along the Danube has a special value with a wonderful panoramic view of the river and the woods.

The Danube bend is among the most scenic landscapes in Hungary; here where the river runs through the hills, the only section of the Danube surrounded by hills on both sides. This region offers wonderful natural scenarios for the cycling tourists.

Illustration: Cycle roads in Budapest
Esztergom - Györ
There are no continuous cycle roads along the Danube between Esztergom and Györ except for short sections in Nyergesújfalu and Komárom. The EuroVelo cycle route does not follow the river but the main road 11 and afterwards quiet asphalt roads. The road has rising and falling gradients between Esztergom and Tata; after that it is mainly level.
Illustration: Cycle Path along the Danube, Esztergom
Szigetköz
The Szigetköz Landscape Protection Reserve is a diverse wetland since the vast flood plains between the dikes raised in the last century to regulate the river are inundated every spring, and when the river recedes into its regular bed, thousands of tiny islands are left behind. Protection ensures the tranquillity of this constantly changing landscape comprising a tract along the Moson Danube 100 km long, a tract along the Great Danube 50 km long as well as some oxbow lakes.
Illustration: Nature reserve, Szigetköz
Yet there are more possibilities for crossing Szigetköz by bicycle. There is a paved cycle road between Györ and Hédervár; beyond Hédervár the EuroVelo route runs along a quiet country road. Cyclists looking for a challenge can choose another way following the unmetalled gravel road on the dike which is, however, in some places difficult to pass.
4 Conflicts
  • In Hungary we have approximately 1.500 km of cycle roads; this amount sounds really impressive but it is made up of short sections just a few kilometres long which are not connected to each other. Just in Szigetköz, around Lake Fertö, Lake Balaton, in Hanság and at the Danube bend are long cycle roads.
  • Most of the cycle routes follow the dikes along the Danube, but the dikes belong to the water authority and initially they did not want to allow cycling on dikes, being apprehensive of the impairment of the dikes. Nowadays it has managed to start a co-operation in order to build paved cycle roads on dikes along rivers. Just during the period of flood warning (1 to 1,5 weeks annually) cycling is prohibited.
  • On the Györ-Esztergom section the possibility of cycling is not really solved. The shortest way between the two major cities is highly frequented and leads through industrial areas. On the main road 10 cycling is prohibited. The EuroVelo cycling route, road no. 11, passes far away from the Danube.
  • The maintenance of cycle roads raises a lot of problems. It is actually the task of the self-government which often does not have enough money for it so nobody takes care of the roads.

5 Suggestions

  • It is important to establish a connected cycle route along the Danube assuring continuous cycling along the river. This cycle route could be the continuation of the Austrian cycle route, which makes it important to build a safe cycle road along the Danube and establish a uniform marking-system.
  • Harmonising water and railway traffic would allow cyclists more comfort and possibilities.
  • Establishing bicycle-hire firms and services along the cycle route would inspire cycling.
  • It would be important to connect the cycle route not only to the settlements next to the Danube but to the more distant settlements as well.
  • The appropriate maintenance of the cycle roads, installing recycling bins, toilets etc. is very important.
  • It is important to keep the cycle route off the industrial areas and lead it through pleasant landscapes and settlements.

6 Summary

Nowadays cycling is turning into a lifestyle so it is very important to establish a continuous cycle route network in Hungary. We have a large amount of cycle routes, but these are just separated sections not connected to each other. The second most important problem is the maintenance of the cycle roads; it is the task of the self-governments.

There are two routes in Hungary which are part of the international cycle route network following our major rivers, the Danube and the Tisza. The cycle road along the Danube passes through the most beautiful landscapes of Hungary. Unfortunately the network is not continuous everywhere so it is the task of the future to connect the separated sections.

7 REFERENCES

Rosivall, Emese (2000) Cycling roads along the Danube in Hungary (poster)

Kerékpártúrák Magyarországon, Atlasz/útikalauz

Frigoria Könyvkiadó GMK., Budapest, 2000

http://www.eurovelo.hu/english.htm

http://domino.kerekparsport.hu/www/kic/homeeng.nsf

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