The road redesign on Sveavägen, one of Stockholm’s main arteries, is generating a wave of complaints from motorists. The remodelling, which has involved widening cycle lanes on both sides of the street, has had a direct consequence: the number of lanes available to motor traffic has been cut in half.
Since the changes came into effect, many drivers have described the situation as a complete disaster. Queues have become a daily occurrence along the avenue, and travel times have risen significantly. “It’s moving at a snail’s pace,” say several commuters who use this road every day to get around the Swedish capital.
The measure is part of a broader trend in Stockholm to prioritise sustainable mobility and favour cyclists over private vehicles — a policy that has both staunch supporters and a growing opposition among those who rely on their cars for their daily routines. Critics argue that the lane reduction has not been accompanied by real alternatives to absorb the existing volume of traffic, leading to the gridlock now being experienced in the area.
City authorities, for their part, have yet to offer a detailed response on possible adjustments to the current road layout, while the debate over how urban space should be shared between bicycles and cars continues to grow across the city.
Original source: SVT Nyheter