Introduction

What provisions should be made for cyclists, and where?

This guide aims to promote a consistent approach to planning the provision for cycling in New Zealand.

1.1 Cycle network planning

Cycle network planning is a process of improving community mobility by providing interconnected routes and facilities based on bicycle users' needs (Bach and Diepens, 2000). It aims to provide cyclists with safe, comfortable, direct routes from all origins to all destinations that:

• link to form a network
• retain existing cyclists
• encourage more people to cycle.

1.2 Cycle route planning

Cycle route planning is the organisation of the most appropriate facilities and treatments into a continuous path for cyclists that will take them safely and comfortably for the greater part of their journey (Bach and Diepens, 2000). Facilities will differ depending on the environment through which the route passes, and different types of cyclists will need different types of cycle route (Dorrestyn, 1996).

Cycle route planning aims to provide cycle routes that:

• provide the highest level of service (LOS) for cyclists, including safety, convenience and comfort
• provide operating space to cycle and other users
• minimise conflicts with other users.

(Cumming, Barber, Smithers, 1999; Jensen et al, 2000; Scottish Executive, 1999).

1.3 Purpose

This guide aims to promote a consistent, world's best practice approach to cycle network and route planning throughout New Zealand. It sets out a process for deciding what cycle provision, if any, is desirable and where it is needed.

The guide is intended to help people involved in cycle planning to develop cycle networks that contribute to the outcomes required by the New Zealand Transport Strategy and the national walking and cycling strategy. It will also help people preparing regional and local cycling strategies.

1.4 Scope of guide

The guide covers all aspects of cycle network and route planning, with a focus on the role and importance of cycle infrastructure in cycling strategic plans, and on planning for cycling for transport.

It expands on chapter 2 of the Guide to traffic engineering practice: Part 14: Bicycles (Austroads, 1999) and complements the New Zealand supplement to that guide (CDS) (Transit New Zealand 2004).

The cycle planning approaches and interventions adopted will depend on the circumstances at each location. With this in mind, the guide does not prescribe a single approach or intervention, but presents a variety, along with their advantages, disadvantages and limitations and the circumstances when each would be most
appropriate. It recognises that financial, technical and political factors may affect what can be achieved at any particular location or time.

This is not an instruction manual, or a guide for cycling facility design, planning a mountain bike network or preparing cycling strategies. It is a best practice guide to the process of cycle network planning, with tools that may help cycle planners and communities. It does not have the force of law.

1.5 Methodology

The project to develop this guide was managed by the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA), as one of the Road Safety to 2010 strategy projects. Consultants were employed to develop the drafts. A stakeholder steering group (see page 2) guided its development and gave feedback on the various drafts.

The guide's content was informed by a review of international literature on cycle network and route planning. A separate report on this is available on the LTSA website at www.ltsa.govt.nz (Opus, 2003).

A draft of the guide was released for public submissions before the New Zealand Cycling Conference 2003.

After the final draft was received from the consultants an international expert peer review was performed. The LTSA carried out some final edits.

1.6 Future revision

The guide will be updated as cycle network and route planning knowledge and practice develops. Priorities for research have been developed. The LTSA has already started a project on New Zealand-appropriate methods for assessing the LOS provided for cyclists, while assessing the latent demand for cycling is another area that needs more work.

1.7 Guide and process outline

Figure 1.1 provides an outline of the guide's three main sections:

• The planning and policy context.
• The principles of cycle network planning.
• The cycle network planning process.

1.8 Safer Routes

The development of the Safer Routes programme is another LTSA Road Safety to 2010 strategy project. Safer Routes applies many of the tools in this guide at a location identified by the community to be a high risk for cyclists (and/or pedestrians). It then develops and implements an integrated package of engineering, enforcement and educational interventions to address locally identified risk factors.

The LTSA is currently trialling Safer Routes in a number of territorial local authorities, and developing guidelines for safe routes facilitators. As part of the ongoing Safer Routes programme LTSA can assist with the funding of facilitators and provision of exert advice. For more information on Safer Routes contact your regional LTSA office.

Figure 1.1: Outline of the guide and the cycle network and route planning process

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Page updated: 24 September 2004