In brief: Guerilla bike lane separators
Here is an interesting article about physical separators between bike lanes and car lanes – both the do-it-yourself version of one US cycle advocate, and the more professional ones being implemented in cities around the world.
The article also nicely captures the debate whether cyclists should ride as if they belong in traffic (i.e. in among the cars) or whether there’s really no other way than separated infrastructure.
Cycling safety, General News, Infrastructure
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bike lane separators, bike lanes, Cycling safety, General News, Infrastructure, separators
Fullers (CAA Sponsor)
Themocracy
Great article. How much would cycling take off in Auckland (New Zealand even) if we could give the young, the old, the unskilled and unconfident riders the ability to cycle away from other road users? As per Dutch examples, this doesn’t necessarily mean ‘Copenhagen lanes’ but by creating infrastructure that minimises the speed differences between road users – ie. in a 30km/h zone cyclists and pedestrians should have very few problems with other users but once in a 50 km/h area the speed difference, and therefore associated risks increase exponentially so therefore there needs to be a division of some kind.
The rule I’m given by Danish transport planners is simple… if traffic speed is below 30km/h then integrate cyclists on the road, if above 30 km/h then segregate from traffic with separate facilities.
I like the simplicity of their approach, it removes the diversion of having to debate the best option.
I look forward to the day when this approach is adopted in NZ.
Do you think Bevan and Max that, given the annual spend on cycling infrastructure in NZ, whether the kind of segregation shown above would be a good start for Auckland? It would be relatively cheap and we could cover a large area for the same price as full cycleways. Of course where you have to follow a motorway or a 70 km/h area there is no comparison.
Hi Bryce, Bevan – I definitely think we should go for more of these schemes. However, we often face the fact that Council is not willing or able to find the space for standard cycle lanes (1.5m) – short of removing parking or general traffic lanes for them – so this (which needs a small buffer strip in addition to the 1.5m) will not be a silver bullet to overcome that type of pushback from Auckland’s car-focused transport system (Auckland is more willing these days to do things for cycling – but usually remains unwilling to cut back the space given to other modes to allow it). The “cost” is mainly in finding that space, not in building the separators, or even in building fully off-road paths.
But as Bryce says – where we can do it, we SHOULD do it, because it is so much better than just paint. Right now, Auckland Transport are still experimenting with it (see Triangle Road, Clark Street West), but the results are positive, and they are getting more used to the idea.
PS: Bevan – I know it’s not statutory, and doesn’t cover the whole city, just the centre – but the City Centre Master Plan shows aspirational 30 km/h and 40 km/h zones around the whole of the CBD.
http://caa.org.nz/general-news/in-brief-the-city-centres-future-cycle-routes/
wouldn’t a slightly narrow cycle lane (<1.5m) with buffer be better than a "standard" cycle lane with no buffer?
Hi Dan – in many cases it would, yes.
However, we don’t want to be too ready to lower our standards (quite literally) because even if you provide 1.5m, you already have to consider whether cyclists can merge in and out of the protected lane – or you will get different-speed cyclists hindering each other when they can not overtake.
Also, many of the buffers – at least those not built with kerbstones! – need some extra space to the traffic lanes to ensure the posts aren’t continually hit. Or they will soon turn toothless and broken.
Max, how wide do you think a road would need to be in order to have 2 x vehicle lanes and 2 x parallel lanes (1 each side), assorted built out parking and foot paths? What kind of separation would be required between the traffic lanes and side lanes? Low, contoured kerbing? Does a 50km/h road really need a flush median lane or is it simply a case of not impeding the flow of traffic?
… or would having just 1 x ‘parallel’ lane on one side be enough to accommodate contra flow cycling?
Hi Bryce – lots of questions, and on some of them, my opinion will contradict the official guidelines! Sometimes, the (different) guidelines will contradict each other! Plus, how long is a piece of string – do you have trucks and buses on the road, what level of pedestrian traffic are you expecting, etc… lots of factors.
But as a rough answer, I would say that you need 7m for 2 vehicles lanes, 4-5m for 2x 2-2.5m wide parking lanes, 3 m for 2 x 1.5m cycle lanes, 1m for 2 x 0.5m buffers between the cycle lane and the parking, and then 4m for two footpaths of 2m…
Flush medians in NZ are generally used to allow easier turning of cars and trucks into driveways in urban areas, and to prevent head-on vehicle crashes in faster speed zones. So I wouldn’t say the are unnecessary, but especially in urban areas, we should sometimes just accept that right turners will hold up traffic behind them for a moment, and use the flush median space for pedestrian and cyclist improvements. Of course there is a lot of push-back to that attitude for arterial roads with higher traffic volumes.
Thanks Max. I live in Te Atatu Peninsula and, after having spent some time riding around the area, I am certain that it could quite easily and relatively cheaply be turned into a cycling and walking haven. Most of the streets are plenty wide enough for either dedicated cycle infrastructure or of the kind that would make ideal 30km/h shared roads. There are also quite a few parks and alleys that can be used as well.
I ? Triangle Road
Oops, meant to be a heart, not a ? mark!
Don’t think the blog software can handle heart symbols, Adam, but CAA “hearts” Triangle Road too!
I find that I don’t heart Triangle Road. I endearingly refer to the bike lane as the glass/boulder lane. I have picked up so many flats along there. Because of the high risk of flatting I often ride just outside the bike lane. Unfortunately riding in the lane ‘owned’ by cars often results in furious honking and abusive hand-gestures.
Hi Jarrod – I know that some people are cynical about reporting to the Auckland Transport hotline, but I have found they respond reasonably well to sweeping requests.
Thanks Max, I have never tried that but will give it a bash.
I can recommend Durano Plus tires.. excellent on a roadie.. dont know about if they have bigger sizes. I’ve not had a puncture and Gt Sth Rd is fraught with glass, nails, screws and almost everything else:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-durano-plus-performance-folding-road-tyre/
I have been driving out to the airport area during the past week and can’t help but think that some kind of separation other than white paint could be appropriate for the cycle lanes on SH20a. The speed difference between cyclists and the 100km/h traffic is frightening. I’m happy to hang on a rope off a cliff face but you won’t find me riding along there.