Latvia, Real Estate, Society, Transport

He said that the Riga City Council has received positive feedback about the new bike lanes in the city. For example, restaurant owners on Lacplesa Street will be able to open outdoor terraces this summer, as the traffic has been improved there. "Bike lanes have made it more convenient for cyclists to move about the city, as well as for pedestrians and people who just want to relax," Usakovs said.

However, he added that there is also a counterexample to this – Caka Street. "The street has turned into a trunk road, which connects downtown with Purvciems. Wealthy people have stopped buying apartments there, while the stores have ceased development; there are no office buildings or business centers. The street is doomed to degradation," Usakovs said. "If we want to prevent the same from happening on Barona Street, Lacplesa Street, and Terbatas Street, the Council will have to think of ways on how to reduce traffic on these streets," he explained.

Usakovs added that the main aim of bike lanes is to reduce the number of automobiles in the city's downtown.