Municipal vote Zurich voters want bikes and trees instead of cars and asphalt

Bikes and trees instead of cars and roads: Zurich voters have clearly accepted the counter-proposals to the "Good Air Initiative" and the "Future Initiative".

The proportion of votes in favor of the counter-proposal to the "Good Air Initiative" was 66.0 percent (68,838 yes votes to 35,462 no votes). The turnout was 45.1 percent.

The counter-proposal to the "Future Initiative" passed with a 62.2% share of votes in favor. 64,287 people were in favor, 39,154 against. The turnout here was 45.0 percent.

Both initiatives were launched by the Umverkehr association and were ultimately withdrawn in favor of the counter-proposals. They are part of a national campaign. Similar initiatives were also launched in various other cities.

Converting road space

The counter-proposal to the "Good Air Initiative" that was accepted demands that the city convert 145,000 square meters of road into green spaces and areas for trees over the next ten years. As the initiative would have demanded, the areas for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport should be preserved.

The withdrawn "Initiative for a healthy urban climate" ("Good Air Initiative") demanded that at least 0.5 percent of the road surface be converted into space for trees and green areas every year for ten years. That would have been around 46,000 square meters per year.

Reduction of parking spaces

The citizens of Zurich also said yes to the weakened counter-proposal to the "Initiative for sustainable mobility" (Future Initiative). This calls for the city to convert 462,000 square meters of road for environmentally friendly mobility within ten years.

According to the city council, 100,000 square meters of this can be converted if roads are renewed. A further 250,000 square meters are already approved cycle routes, which are also included. The remaining area can be achieved through traffic calming measures or the removal of parking spaces for cycle lanes.

SDA