In Ferrara, work on the construction of the cycle and pedestrian path in Via Orlando Furioso is nearing completion. This project, financed with funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), aims to improve safety for cyclists and redevelop the area, providing a safe link between the university campuses and the railway station.
A new step towards sustainable mobility
The project involves the creation of a cycle and pedestrian path approximately 540 metres long, extending along the section of Via Orlando Furioso between Via Tumiati and Via Azzo Novello. This segment completes the existing path in the next section, consolidating the city’s network of urban cycle paths. The project also includes the redevelopment of the areas adjacent to the road, including parking areas.
Technical details of the intervention
In the section between the archway on Via Tumiati and the entrance to Via Orlando Furioso, cycle lanes have been created using road markings and new passages through the traffic islands, thus ensuring safe circulation for pedestrians and cyclists. In the subsequent sections, the configuration follows that already adopted in the segment between Via Azzo Novello and Corso Ercole I d’Este, with side parking spaces finished in solid precast concrete on gravel, separated from the cycle lane by a double kerb. The cycle lane, made of draining concrete, runs adjacent to the existing green area on the Bocciofila side.
Timing and funding
The works, which began on 13 January 2025, have a total cost of €450,000. The project is part of the second phase of a larger municipal project that involves the construction of approximately 6 kilometres of cycle paths, with a total investment of €1,571,208. The works are expected to be completed in autumn 2025.
The mayor of Ferrara, Alan Fabbri, emphasised the importance of this project, stating: ‘The aim of the broader project to create urban cycle paths is to offer exclusive, safe spaces along the main roads to the many citizens and students who use bicycles for their daily commute and to the cycle tourists who enliven Ferrara with their journeys through history, art, culture and nature.’
Future prospects for cycling mobility
In addition to the work on Via Orlando Furioso, further work is planned to upgrade the area in front of the Torrione di San Giovanni, create a link between the existing network of cycle paths along the walls and the route along Via Caldirolo, and build new cycle and pedestrian paths on Via Ippodromo, Via del Lavoro and along the railway line. These interventions aim to further enhance the city’s cycle network, promoting sustainable and safe mobility for all road users.
SHELTER: an innovative solution for charging e-bikes
In this context of upgrading cycling infrastructure, the installation of photovoltaic shelters such as SHELTER represents significant added value. SHELTER is a photovoltaic shelter capable of charging up to 8 electric bicycles using only solar energy produced on site, thus guaranteeing a 100% renewable energy source. As it does not require connection to the electricity grid, it can be installed without the need for excavation or the installation of meters, resulting in considerable savings in time and money.
Features and benefits of SHELTER
In addition to charging, SHELTER offers a range of integrated services: a bench, 4 bike racks, USB and wireless smartphone charging, a CCTV camera, emergency bike repair tools and a 5 square metre customisable surface for graphics or communications. This solution represents a complete and aesthetically pleasing rest area, ideal for supporting sustainable mobility and improving the experience of urban cyclists.
For more information about SHELTER, visit the product page: https://www.garageeks.com/en/shelter/
