Desenzano to Get New Bike Lanes: Innovative Paths and Challenging Terrain

The project had been in the works for six years. Now, finally, Desenzano will have a network of bike lanes connecting Rivoltella to Desenzano, passing through the most densely populated residential neighborhoods up to the train station. The contract, worth 360 million euros, has just been awarded by the Municipality, and the start of construction is imminent: within two or three months, cycling will be safer thanks to approximately three and a half kilometers of urban pathways.

Of course, every coin has its flip side. The new routes won’t be a walk in the park, because Desenzano has a hilly terrain, and pedaling up certain climbs will require a «physical powerhouse». But here are, in detail, the layout and features of the bike lanes, which should be completed by mid-autumn: the contract stipulates that the work must be completed within 65 days starting from September.

Route and Characteristics of the Bike Lanes

The new bike lane will connect the outskirts of Rivoltella to the station, stretching from via Dugazze to piazzale Einaudi, running alongside the roadway. For cyclist safety, the route will be separated from the street by hedges and iron arches that mark its boundaries.

Along the route to the station, five rest areas are planned: one at the corner of via Michelangelo and via De Gasperi, another near the flowerbeds on via Giotto, one on via Masaccio, close to the Catullo gymnasium, and another in via Leonardo da Vinci. These will feature benches, fountains, bike racks, and grilles.

Stops are useful given the route’s challenging profile, which requires training to handle the constant ascents and descents. The climb begins downhill: it starts from via Dugazze, descending along viale Michelangelo past the Tré Stelle stadium.

After passing the sports center, cyclists will have two options: first, to immediately climb via Cimabue and then via Giotto; a very long ascent but not particularly steep. Alternatively, they can choose a flatter route continuing along viale Michelangelo. Even in this case, a climb awaits.

Reaching the vicinity of the police station, cyclists will face the incline of via Leonardo Da Vinci: a «Dolomitic switchback»; an ascent on via Leonardo Da Vinci that a Pantani-worthy bike would navigate in second gear, and which requires a hematocrit of 55 for cycling— a blood level that caused Pantani’s well-known disqualification.

Midway along via Leonardo, there’s another fork: you can complete the climb and reach the station via the flat via Masaccio, or deviate onto via Villa del Sole, then climb back onto viale Cavour up to piazzale Einaudi, for the photo finish and the victory kiss from the stage escorts.

«Given the layout of Desenzano — comment at Unico Tecnico — it was impossible to avoid steep climbs. The station is at the top of a hill».