Trenčín Region, which has been called the cycling region due to its active approach to building cycling infrastructure, ceremoniously opened two brand new sections of the region’s main cycling artery to cyclists in June within the span of two weeks. This event brought hundreds of cycling enthusiasts into the saddle.
The Váh Bicycle Route, which will eventually be 100 km long, has been expanded with the addition of two newly completed sections. The first, 10.4 km long, starts at the border with the Žilina Self-governing Region and continues to Považská Bystrica. The region invested 3.5 million euros in the section, with the help of funds from the Integrated Regional Operational Program. It includes a bridge spanning over 105 meters, connecting the Orlov Bridge with the existing asphalt road near the Váh Cascade, and a 25-meter-long underpass that the cycle route leads through under Road II/507. Its construction took 147 days. Cyclists can rest at a newly constructed rest area along the route and also charge their phones at one of the SMART benches.
Smooth connection
The second new section, 12.2 km long, leads from the town of Púchov, smoothly connecting to the already built section Púchov–Nosice Dam, through Beluša to Ladce. It also connects to Lednické Rovne. “Personally, I consider this section the most beautiful. Not just because it has the only bicycle bridge on the entire 100 km of the Váh Bicycle Route, but mainly due to how varied and interesting it is,” said Trenčín Regional Governor Jaroslav Baška. “Including this section, we have now built, finalized, and certified more than 61 out of the total 100 km planned. I firmly believe that this year we will start building another two sections measuring more than 28 km, namely the section Trenčín–Dubnica nad Váhom Industrial Park and Nemšová–Dubnica nad Váhom–Ladce,” added the governor, noting that only the last 10 km section Nosice Dam–Považská Bystrica Railway Station will remain to be built. The construction itself cost 10.2 million euros, and the region obtained financial resources from EU funds for its construction. The dominant structure of the entire section is a bicycle bridge over 91 meters long. The cycle route also offers two rest areas, in Beluša near the newly built bridge over the Váh River and under the highway bridge. The contractor managed to build the section in 305 days.
Bicycle bridge on the Ladce-Půchov section.
Improved safety as well as an alternative
Both new bicycle paths include an automatic cyclist and pedestrian counter. “I’m at a loss for words. Hats off to everyone who contributed to this work,” said national cycling coordinator Peter Klučka, who participated in the peloton. The main reason the region built this bicycle route was to improve safety and also to provide an alternative option for commuting to work. The major importance of building bicycle paths separated from motor traffic is also appreciated by professional cyclists. “I am pleased that such sections are being built and the Trenčín Region is setting an example. I travel all over Slovakia, but I have seen nothing like this anywhere else. I am pleased that young cyclists can start riding on such roads because their safety is especially important,” said Peter Privara, president of the Slovak Cycling Federation. Other participants in the peloton, including students and principals of regional high schools, members of cycling clubs, mayors, Paralympians, and cycling enthusiasts from the wider area, also expressed their enthusiasm. If you don’t have plans for the summer yet, come admire the wonders of the Trenčín Region from the saddle of a bicycle.
