Conference on diverse transportation options
Reykjavík City will host an open conference in Tjarnarsalur on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 9 a.m., together with the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, Transport for the Capital Area and Strætó Public Transport. Everyone is welcome!
As the capital area population continues growing, the need for diverse transportation options increases — each resident takes an average of four trips per day to run errands. The capital area Transportation Charter secures funding for developing transportation infrastructure. This includes more dedicated biking paths, which is great news for commuter cycling.
Data from 30 automatic bike counters throughout the capital area shows bike usage has grown during both winter and summer months. It's worth noting that in 2002, biking made up just 1% of all traffic. Today that share has reached nearly 7%.
August bike counts show year-over-year increases of 5.57% at six key locations within Reykjavík and about 2.7% across the entire capital area. Aug. 20 marked the third-busiest biking day of the year so far, with 18,528 people cycling that day.
The conference will explore how environments designed for everyone can increase mobility and independence for people who depend on transportation methods other than cars.
Changes to the rural bus route system will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration is revising the route system to accommodate changing travel patterns among riders and to shift the rural bus fleet to clean energy.
The conference will address the question: "How can workplaces in Reykjavík's city center increase environmentally friendly transportation among their staff through new priorities and incentives?"
Presenters will outline a report with recommendations for a comprehensive government policy and action plan on active transportation and micro-mobility devices. The presentation will cover the function and design of city line stations and show drawings and photos of these facilities.
A new electric city bus will be on display outside City Hall before noon tomorrow, Sept. 18.
Program: Diverse Transportation for All, 9-11 a.m.
- Opening address – Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir
- New Route System and Expanded Strætó Service – Sólrún Svava Skúladóttir, Strætó Public Transport
- City Line Stations and Accessibility – Yngvi Karl Sigurjónsson, Yrki Architects
- New Rural Bus Route System and Innovations – Hulda Rós Bjarnadóttir, Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration
- Walkable City and Urban Design Policy – Rebekka Guðmundsdóttir, Reykjavík City
- Reykjavík the Biking City – video
- Draft Government Policy on Active Travel, Professor Sigrún Helga Lund, working group chair
- Accessibility for All – Berglind Hallgrímsdóttir, EFLA
- Safety and Improved Public Transit Flow – Cecilía Þórðardóttir, Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration
- Transforming Mobility for People Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired, Hlynur Þór Agnarsson, on behalf of Blindrafélagið, Icelandic Association of the Visually Impaired
- Impact of Sustainable Commuting Incentives and Accessible Parking on People's Travel Habits, Valur Elli Valsson, EFLA
- Closing Remarks – Dóra Björt Guðjónsdóttir, Environment & Planning Council chair.
