Cycle network and route planning guide

The cycle network planning process

Print version: Chapter 8: Identifying cycle route options (PDF, 37 KB, 2 pages)

Identifying cycle route options

IDENTIFY EXISTING AND POTENTIAL CYCLE ROUTE OPTIONS
Identify opportunities for upgrading existing routes, or for new or alternative routes, and add them to the map of existing routes.
Identify the alternative facilities that could be provided on each route to satisfy the needs of the cyclists who would use them.

8.1 Introduction

This chapter describes a process for identifying alternative ways to satisfy the needs of the different types of cyclists who will use the route.

8.2 Identifying opportunities

This involves considering the:

maps produced in the cycle demand assessment (chapter 7)
needs of cyclists who will be using each route (chapter 3)
possible locations for cycle routes (chapter 4)
possible approaches to developing a network (chapter 5)
cycle route components (chapter 6)
five-point hierarchy (chapter 8)
factors listed in Table 8.1.

From this assessment, opportunities for upgrading existing routes or developing new routes can be identified. All should provide cyclists with an appropriate LOS and be feasible.

Table 8.1 Factors to consider during route option assessments

TRAFFIC	ENVIRONMENT	INFRASTRUCTURE	CONTROLS/OTHER
Traffic speeds and volumes Traffic composition, especially % of heavy vehicles Other road/path users’ demands and requirements Collision history	Route/road cross-section measurements Topographic and land use information Parking controls Access and parking demand characteristics Intersection layout details Key infrastructure details Local traffic calming measures	Drainage and utility services Public lighting Property driveway positions Traffic management controls and operational details, for example traffic signals	Planning regulations Local initiatives and developments Local technical requirements Applicable route design guidelines Land ownership Land owner requirements

8.3 Five-point hierarchy

The five-point hierarchy of measures to help cyclists (IHT et al, 1996) is considered in this order:

Reduce traffic volumes.
Reduce traffic speeds.
Adapt intersections.
Re-allocate road space.
Provide on-road cycle lanes and off-road cycle paths.

These measures can be applied to the road and path system as a whole and to individual routes.

Cycle lanes and cycle paths, often the most commonly suggested measures, should only be considered after the issues higher in the list.

8.4 Finding space on existing roads

See section 6.2

Facility choices often need to be accommodated within available space along any route. Bicycle Victoria (1996) details techniques to obtain space on existing roads.

Rearranging space

Adjust carriageway lane positions or widths.
Upgrade service roads for cyclist use.
Seal road shoulders.

Trading space

Indent car parking.
Widen road at the verge (as long as this will not result in higher speeds).
Restrict car parking to one side of a road, resulting in an asymmetric road layout.
Widen the road at the median.
Remove a traffic lane if there is excess road capacity.
Close the road.

If a desired facility cannot be accommodated on the road, an off-road route may be a viable alternative if it:

is more direct
has a high standard of geometric design, construction and maintenance
has a similar travel distance to the road route.

8.5 Opportunities lost

In addition to identifying new cycle routes, it is important to protect existing cycle corridors. Some existing reserves that are surplus to recreation space requirements have been sold off for general urban development purposes, despite the existence of longstanding cycle routes.

It is important that formal planning documents such as district plans and/or reserve management plans recognise all routes that are well used or have significant potential for cycling. This will ensure future development proposals accommodate cycle routes rather than obstruct them.

It is also interesting to note that property developers have funded some cycle route improvements, where existing routes were recognised in district plans or reserve management plans.

8.6 Key infrastructure opportunities

Table 8.2 lists some key infrastructure or features that can be central to developing cycle routes. These features are often so strategically important that entire routes are planned around or heavily influenced by their existence.

Table 8.2: Key infrastructure that influences cycle route development opportunities.

GRADE SEPARATED FACILITIES	ROUTE OPPORTUNITIES	TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES
Road tunnel Pedestrian overpass Pedestrian underpass Road bridge, to which a cycle platform could be attached Viaduct	Traffic signals Service road Lane	Railway station Ferry service Airport Park-and-ride station/public transport interchange

8.7 Opportunities identified

This assessment should have identified opportunities for upgrading existing routes or developing new routes. All options identified should provide cyclists with an appropriate LOS and must be feasible and provide value for money.

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Page created: 29 September 2004