The bus lanes created during the metro renovation will be revived as cycle lanes

A new cycle lane has been opened for cyclists in the capital. The BKK crosses downtown Budapest from north to south, creating a protected zone – i.e. one bordered by clearly visible dividing elements – on Üllői út and Váci út. This operated as a bus lane during the M3 metro renovation.

However, the bus lanes that facilitated the operation of replacement buses became redundant once the reconstruction was completed. This presented a historic opportunity to breathe new life into Budapest's north-south thoroughfares. Our newspaper previously mentioned this in an interview we conducted about surface transport during the metro renovation.

By replacing the missing sections, cycling on the Váci út-Üllői út priority axis could be made safer and the shops, offices, universities, museums, bus and train stations along the boulevards could be reached more safely.

In response to the comments of the National Ambulance Service, BKK and Budapest Közút have initiated a consultation with the ambulance service to jointly clarify the issues raised by the design of the cycle lanes.

Positive experiences along the new cycle lane

The BKK uses camera image analysis technology, loop detectors and continuously updated Waze data to monitor the traffic congestion on Üllői út and Váci út and its impact on the area. Data from the first few weeks shows that the vast majority of people using micromobility devices such as bicycles and scooters are no longer on the pavement, and have taken over the new protected road space from pedestrians. Immediately after the new cycle lane was opened, the number of cyclists and scooters on this stretch of road started to rise.

As few people know about the new cycle lane, BKK has started to promote it. They are inviting people to celebrate the first protected cycle lane in the capital with cocoa snails and fruit juice. The new cycle lanes on Üllői út and Váci út are being used by more and more people, but as with all new developments, it will take time for more people to get to know and get used to the new route.