CYCLE NETWORK AND ROUTE PLANNING GUIDE

5 POSSIBLE CYCLENETWORK APPROACHES5.1 IntroductionThis section describes five approaches to developing a cycleroute network:• every street• roads or paths• dual networks• hierarchy approach• needs approach.5.2 Every streetEvery street is a bicycle street (Geelong Bikeplan Study Steering Committee, 1977). Cyclists’ trip originsand destinations are as complex as those of car drivers, and they use all streets to accessactivities beside them. Whether or not such streets have specific cycling facilities, cyclists’needs must be considered. This principle applies to all approaches to network planning.If all streets and intersections provide quality cycling conditions, it is not necessaryto provide for primary cycle routes. In practice, roads are arranged in a hierarchy sothat longer-distance traffic is concentrated on higher-standard routes. This is done forefficiency and to manage traffic effects on the enjoyment of adjoining land and vice versa.This usually requires a similar arrangement of provision for cycling.Cycle lanes separated by interrupted kerb, Utrecht, The Netherlands. (Photo: Tim Hughes)5.3 Roads or pathsA fundamental issue in cycle planning isthe degree to which cycle facilities will besegregated from motor traffic. There areseveral kinds of separation, such as:• isolated paths• paths next to roads separated by kerbs,islands or nature strips• marked space on the roadway, such ascycle lanes and road shoulders• fully shared mixed road space.Section 6 discusses the detailed merits ofeach in more detail.While primary cycle networks may be basedon one type of facility, most cycle networkscontain a mixture of different facility types.5.3.1 Segregated networks ofcycle pathsIt is only practical to consider a fullysegregated primary cycle network whenplanning new suburbs and townships.The aim of such networks is to providepleasant, off-road cycle paths free ofconflict from motorised traffic that serveall areas. An outstanding example isHouten, a satellite town of Utrecht inThe Netherlands, where 16 neighbourhoods30