Types of Cycling Infrastructure

There are various types of cycling infrastructure. Some examples include bikeways and buffered cycle tracks. Separated bike lanes are also a type of cycling infrastructure. This infrastructure helps cyclists to move through cities and towns safely and quickly. Other examples include bike superhighways, separated bike lanes, instrumented bikes, and protected bikeways.

Bicycle superhighways

Cycling superhighways are cycle paths that span cities. London has cycle paths that are coordinated by the Transport for London (TfL). Cycle Superhighway 3 spans from Barking in the east to Lancaster Gate in central London. It is a popular route for commuters and leisure cyclists alike. It passes major destinations in the city, including Westminster, Camden, and Liverpool Street.

When designing cycle highways, engineers must keep safety and mobility in mind. For example, cyclists need good visibility and should have uninterrupted sight lines. They must also have a low-slope profile. In addition, cyclists should be able to ride side-by-side without a fear of being hit by a car. A cycle highway also needs to feature unobstructed intersections and a smooth surface. The route should also be direct and have grade-separated crossings. Intersections should give priority to cyclists, such as separating cyclists from motorists.

Buffered cycle tracks

Buffered cycle tracks can increase the safety of cycling by giving cyclists a buffer zone on either side of the travel lane. This design provides more space to cyclists without causing a distraction for drivers. Buffered cycle tracks also attract more cyclists and pedestrians to the street.

Cycle tracks can be one-way or two-way and can be at street level, sidewalk level, or an intermediate level. They separate bicyclists and motor traffic by incorporating physical buffers such as planters or raised medians. This separation provides additional safety for bicycle users and reduces the number of vehicle-pedestrian crashes.

Buffered cycle lanes create a wider space for bicycle users, making it more appealing to both experienced and beginner cyclists. They also increase the perception of safety among users. They are typically used in places where regular bicycle lanes are unavailable, especially busy streets. They are also generally marked with a bicycle lane symbol. Two solid white lines separate the buffer area from the main travel lane.

Separated bike lanes

Separated bike lanes are important for a number of reasons. They reduce icing and increase traction, but they also need regular maintenance to avoid causing damage to the surrounding environment. Often, separated bike lanes are accompanied by street trees, which can visually narrow the roadway and help with traffic calming. They also can be used as an opportunity to introduce green infrastructure into an urban area.

Separated bike lanes are generally separated from motor vehicle traffic by a barrier. These barriers may be a concrete median, a concrete bollard, or a planter. These barriers prevent vehicles from parking in a bike lane and can also prevent emergency vehicles from parked vehicles.

Instrumented bikes

Instrumented bikes in cycling infrastructure can provide real-time information about trail conditions and potential hazards. By measuring trail conditions, the bikes can report to a mobile app or a cloud server that can alert cyclists of any potential problems. As a result, cyclists can plan their journeys more efficiently and avoid potential hazards.

The technology behind the instrumented bicycle combines an inertial measurement unit, a GPS unit, a camera, and a microprocessor into a single device that collects data in real time. The data is then georeferenced and shared with road managers, governments, and bicyclists via a mobile app.

The use of instrumented bikes in cycling infrastructure has become increasingly important to the understanding of cycling behaviour and preferences. This technology has grown in popularity over the last six years and has become increasingly mature. In the UK, this technology has improved the cycling infrastructure by improving ride quality and promoting cycling as a modal choice.

Complete streets

Complete streets for cycling are streets with safe places for people to walk, cycle, or run. These streets include pedestrian infrastructure, such as traditional sidewalks, raised crosswalks, and median crossing islands. Additionally, they have facilities to comply with federal and state laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. They also address the needs of people with disabilities, such as people with vision impairments and those who use wheelchairs.

Complete streets can be a key element in an overall transportation planning effort. The National Complete Streets Coalition, which has a website dedicated to the subject, has a number of resources and case studies. Their Evaluating Complete Streets Projects: A Guide for Practitioners discusses performance metrics that can help measure complete streets’ success. Another resource, Strategies for Accelerating Multimodal Project Delivery, discusses ways to address challenges and delays when implementing complete streets.