"Soft" accessibility to urban proximity landscape in the cities of Emilia

This paper introduces the category of “urban proximity landscape” and identifies the role of cycling in the enjoyment of that landscape. A brief survey of the criteria adopted in cycle plans in selected cities of Emilia, which have similar characteristics and a widespread use of bicycle, allows us to define some critical issues for these cities. Finally, we offer some useful criteria for evaluating a network of cycle routes between city and countryside and to ensure widespread accessibility to proximity landscapes across the fringes of urban sprawl and the infrastructures on the city edge.