Cycle Facilities
If cycle facilities are to be installed, it is important that they are of the highest quality. Good quality facilities can encourage more people to cycle. This page shows examples of good practice from the Netherlands, together with some of the facilities that have been installed in the UK over the past few years.
Cycle Tracks
This photo shows a high-quality Dutch cycle track crossing a side road. Traffic crossing the cycle track gives way to those using the track. The cycle track and side road have continuous surfaces without kerbing allowing for crossing the side road without crossing kerbs.
Contrast with this cycle-track in Selby. Not only do cyclists using the track have to Give Way to traffic on the side road, cyclists are also encouraged to Dismount. A cycle-track which cyclists are discouraged from cycling on - it could only happen in the UK!
Cycle Lanes
This photo shows cycle lanes about 1.3 to 1.5m wide. The cycle lane and road are on the same level allowing cyclists to cross the road at practically any point without having to mount kerbs. The increased width supports the roads sides with improved rain run-off and helps to reduce maintenance costs.
This cycle-lane was installed by the Highways Agency in Selby. It is about 45cm wide (i.e. narrower than a bike and its rider). The drainage grate adds an additional hazard.
This photo from Arnham shows a cycle lane within a limited space, the kerb width is about 1.2m and the cycle lane is near to 2.0m wide allowing room for overtaking other cyclists. Low chamfered kerbing is provided with spaces for leaving the track when required. The main road shown also carries electric trolley buses, providing high capacity public transport without the need for tracks.
This cycle-lane from Edinburgh ends with some parking bays, is poorly surfaced and includes a slippery drain cover. Its 10 metres of length manages to feature three hazards!
Rural Traffic Calming
This photo shows cycle lanes in a small Dutch rural community. The cycle lanes give the impression to motorists that they are entering an area with residential properties and suggests a reduced width for driving, encouraging lower driving speeds.
The example from the UK shows that the needs of cyclists are usually ignored when considering rural traffic calming. The cycle bypass is neglected and therefore unusable. The "Keep Right" sign on the bollard actually makes it an offence for a cyclist to use the cycle-bypass.
Road Narrowings
This photo shows a pedestrian crossing with increased road width and a central refuge. The speed limit in the location was 20km/hr. The crossing provides for people crossing by splitting the road into two sections. The increased road width means cyclists and motorists do not have to be squeezed together.
In the UK, pedestrian islands are installed, but the speed limits often remain at 30mph (close to 50km/hr). Cyclists know that they will be squeezed at these points, but in case they needed reminding, this cycle lane gets narrower as it passes the island.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts have always provided cyclists with problems. In the Netherlands, this roundabout has a continuous wide cycle lane. The cycle lane exits from the roundabout continues through the pedestrian crossing, encouraging pedestrians to "think cyclist" as they cross the road.
This example from Leeds shows the UK approach. Cyclists are encouraged to ride around the roundabout on the adjacent footway, giving-way to traffic at each entry and exit arm. This is the view facing a cyclist trying to cross one of the roundabout's entry arms - a lorry completely blocks the cyclist's route, whilst the cyclist has to try to pick a route through the three-lanes of vehicles queuing to enter the roundabout. The drivers of these vehicles will have their attention focused on spotting a gap in the circulating traffic and would be likely to miss any cyclist crossing in front of them.
Cycle Parking
This photo shows a typical Dutch bicycle parking facility with protection from the weather.
This is not a piece of modern art, but three bicycle parking stands. Notice how there is no protection from the weather. The elaborate design does not make the stands any easier to lock a bicycle to, quite the opposite in fact.