Cycling and Sustainability - Network Planning and Infrastructure Design

Several international researchers and practitioners all contributed to a 2012 book, "Cycling and Sustainability" that explored the reasons for difficulties in making cycling mainstream in many cultures, despite its claims for being one of the most sustainable forms of transport. 

While previously at Canterbury University, Glen Koorey contributed a chapter to this book with Prof John Parkin (UWE Bristol), focusing on "Network Planning and Infrastructure Design". In this chapter, Glen and John review planning and design approaches for cycle traffic in order to direct future thinking towards the critical aspects of network design that will have a beneficial impact on the utility and nature of the environment for cycling.

The chapter provides a critique of the approach of adopting a so-called "hierarchy of solutions" frequently adopted in western countries with low levels of cycling use. The guiding principle for designing routes for cycle traffic is that the bicycle is a vehicle capable of speed and, as a consequence, links and junctions need to be designed according to appropriate geometric design standards. In addition, owing to the nature of the cycle and rider combination, the oft-repeated Dutch characteristics for good design for cycle traffic of coherence, directness, attractiveness, safety and comfort remain firm.

The practical outcomes from the chapter are a method of approach for planning infrastructure for cycle traffic which starts with an analysis of demand and works through to the creation of suitable networks for cycle traffic which are grounded in, and extended from, suitably regulated existing highway networks.