Information about winter maintenance on walking and cycling paths this week
Reykjavík City's winter maintenance staff have been working hard this week on deicing walking and cycling paths.
Since Monday, December 2, walking and cycling paths have been diligently maintained due to significant ice on these routes. On Monday, crews were called out for cycling paths at 1:30 p.m. and for walking paths at 4 a.m. On Tuesday, crews were called out for cycling paths at 4 a.m. and 11 a.m., inter-neighborhood walking paths at 4 a.m., and intra-neighborhood walking paths at 8 a.m. This pattern continued throughout the week. Crews were called out for cycling paths nine times, inter-neighborhood walking paths five times, and intra-neighborhood paths twice - on Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m.
Entire pathway system salted
In all cases, the entire priority pathway system, as defined by service standards, is salted. The total length of the pathway system is about 866 km, of which over 600 km are prioritized according to service standards. Additionally, contractors have been salting the pathway system in the city center from Tuesday to Friday. Non-priority walking paths will be salted tonight, Friday, and tomorrow, Saturday. These are paths not adjacent to residential streets. Typically, walking paths within neighborhoods (next to residential streets) with street lighting are serviced, not the opposite path. An exception will be made tonight and tomorrow as mentioned.
Be careful
Winter maintenance staff urge travelers to be careful on icy surfaces. It's best to use ice cleats when there's significant ice and studded tires on bicycles to avoid accidents. Businesses are also encouraged to deice parking lots and walkways in front of their premises. This action would significantly reduce accidents.
A thaw is expected from Sunday to Monday, which should melt the ice quickly. However, such conditions can create very slippery surfaces as the ice melts. Let's be careful this weekend!
