Infrastructure for Personal Mobility, Cycle Logistics

Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation

The activity covers the construction, modernisation, maintenance and operation of infrastructure dedicated to personal mobility and cycle logistics. This includes segregated cycle lanes, protected bike paths, shared-use paths, pedestrian zones, bicycle parking facilities, cargo bike hubs, e-bike and e-scooter charging stations, and associated wayfinding and traffic management systems.

The infrastructure must be dedicated primarily to zero-emission transport modes. It must not include general-purpose road infrastructure that serves motorised vehicles. Shared-use paths must give priority to non-motorised users and comply with national cycling infrastructure design standards.

As an enabling activity, this infrastructure facilitates the avoidance of emissions that would otherwise occur through motorised transport. Municipalities and operators must demonstrate, through traffic modelling or modal share data, that the infrastructure contributes to measurable modal shift from private car use to active and micro-mobility modes.

Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Adaptation

The activity must comply with Appendix A. Climate risks to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, including urban heat island effects on surface materials, pluvial flooding of underpass routes, and freeze-thaw damage to pavement surfaces, must be assessed and addressed through climate-resilient design choices.

DNSH: Climate Change Adaptation

A climate risk assessment must be conducted covering the expected lifetime of the infrastructure. Material hazards include extreme heat causing surface deformation and user heat stress, heavy precipitation overwhelming drainage on cycle paths, wind events damaging shelters and signage, and freeze-thaw cycles degrading surface quality.

DNSH: Water and Marine Resources

Construction must not adversely affect the status of water bodies as defined under the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. Surface drainage from cycle infrastructure must be managed through sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) to prevent polluted runoff entering watercourses. Permeable paving materials should be used where ground conditions allow, to support natural infiltration and reduce flood risk.

DNSH: Circular Economy

Construction materials must maximise the use of recycled and secondary aggregates. At least 70% by weight of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste must be prepared for reuse, recycling or material recovery in accordance with the Waste Framework Directive. Infrastructure design must facilitate future modification, extension or removal without generating excessive waste.

DNSH: Pollution Prevention and Control

Construction works must comply with local air quality and noise management plans. Dust suppression measures must be deployed during earthworks. Surface materials must not leach harmful substances into soil or groundwater. Lighting must use energy-efficient LED technology and be designed to minimise light pollution and disturbance to nocturnal wildlife in accordance with best practice guidance.

DNSH: Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Infrastructure must not be constructed within or adjacent to Natura 2000 network sites unless an appropriate assessment under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive concludes no adverse effect on site integrity. Green corridor integration must be considered, incorporating native planting, pollinator-friendly vegetation and wildlife-friendly drainage features. Tree removal must be compensated through replacement planting at a minimum 2:1 ratio. An Environmental Impact Assessment under Directive 2011/92/EU must be completed where required by national screening thresholds.