Cycle-lanes

Being more than just cycle and wallking infrastructure, Greenways truely transform urban areas. This guide covers the philosophy, design and construction of Greenways as multi-user paths for commuting and leisure. The distillation of 30 years of Sustrans' path building experience - the Connect2 Greenway Guide is an indispensible tool for anyone involved in the construction, maintenance and promotion of cycling and walking.

In 2000,1 the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (now the Department for Transport, DfT) published its strategy for road safety in Tomorrows Roads Safer for Everyone. In this document Mixed Priority Routes were identified as being among the least safe of urban roads. Subsequently, the DfT invited local highway authorities to submit schemes for inclusion in the Mixed Priority Routes (MPR) Road Safety Demonstration Project where DfT grants of up to £1 million were available for each participating authority. The ten schemes selected to be included in the project covered a spectrum of different types of authority and highway characteristics. This document reviews the experience from the ten schemes involved in the Demonstration Project and presents the lessons learned through the project to assist practitioners develop similar successful schemes. This report provides guidance for project managers and senior technical staff who might be involved in the development and delivery of MPR schemes, building on the experience of those that have already been through the process and understand the organisation and delivery issues involved. The MPR schemes have unique technical solutions to the redesign of their streets. It is not the purpose of this document to set out technical solutions. A brochure entitled High Street Renaissance and detailed scheme reports are also published on the DfT website, www.dft.org.uk. Summary Mixed Priority Routes are streets that carry high levels of traffic and also have: a mix of residential use and commercial frontages; a mix of road users, i.e. shoppers, cyclists, bus passengers, schoolchildren; a mix of parking and deliveries; They are not just transport routes. Although dealing with transport and safety is a key element, other concerns associated with the local economy and local communities may also generate an interest in improving the area with economic regeneration and environmental improvements. There are many benefits to be gained from enhancing the high street environment with an integrated approach. The investment is likely to contribute towards assisting the delivery of a range of local authority corporate objectives and targets including: accessibility planning; accident reduction; economic regeneration; Public Service Agreement; quality of life; and sustainability.

Encouraging more people to cycle is increasingly being seen as a vital part of any local authority plan to tackle congestion, improve air quality, promote physical activity and improve accessibility. This design guide brings together and updates guidance previously available in a number of draft Local Transport Notes and other documents. Although its focus is the design of cycle infrastructure, parts of its advice are equally appropriate to improving conditions for pedestrians. The guidance covers England, Wales and Scotland. Where the text refers to highway authorities (for England and Wales), the equivalent term in Scotland is road authorities.

The decision to provide cycle lanes should be reached by reference to the hierarchy of provision and such tools as the CROW derived ’speed/flow’ diagram; they should not be seen as a universal solution. Where provided, cycle lanes should be a minimum of 1.5m wide, continuous, made conspicuous across side roads at junctions and not abandon cyclists where roads become narrow, for example at right turning lanes. Where cycle lanes are being introduced, the cost of remedial measures to the carriageway surface should be included within the scheme budget.

Two-way cycling should be the default option where it is proposed to introduce one-way working for general traffic.

Consideration should be given to the removal of centrelines as an option where carriageway widths do not permit the introduction of cycle lanes of adequate width (min 1.5m) whilst retaining two general traffic lanes.

Travelwise NI is a Roads Service initiative to encourage the use of sustainable transport options such as walking, cycling, public transport or car sharing. It is delivered in partnership with the Department of Education, DOE Road Safety Branch, Sustrans, Health Promotion Agency and Translink, and is targeted at Commuters, Employers (to devise a Travel Plan that meets a company's needs), and schools. .

Walking and cycling: an action plan, which was published on 16 June 2004, sets out measures from across government to increase levels of active travel. This companion guide contains 50 examples of successful schemes from across England. They have all achieved significant results with often modest, but always well-chosen initiatives, which have improved local conditions for walking and cycling and encouraged people to get around on foot and by bike. These schemes illustrate clear benefits in terms of reduced congestion, improved public health and enhanced quality of local streets and spaces.

Well-Maintained Highways, the code of practice for highway maintenance management was published in July 2005. It provides local authorities with guidance on highways management in an ever changing environment, creating a strong foundation for a positive and lasting maintenance policy. Adoption of the recommendations in this code will help the delivery of Best Value services.