Cycle network and route planning guide - NZ Transport Agency

8 IDENTIFYING CYCLE
ROUTE OPTIONS
IDENTIFY EXISTING AND POTENTIAL CYCLE ROUTE OPTIONS
Identify opportunities for upgrading existing routes, or for new or alternative routes, and add them to the map of existing routes.
Identify the alternative facilities that could be provided on each route to satisfy the needs of the cyclists who would use them.
8.1 Introduction
This chapter describes a process for identifying alternative ways to satisfy the needs of the
different types of cyclists who will use the route.
8.2 Identifying opportunities
This involves considering the:
• maps produced in the cycle demand assessment (chapter 7)
• needs of cyclists who will be using each route (chapter 3)
• possible locations for cycle routes (chapter 4)
• possible approaches to developing a network (chapter 5)
• cycle route components (chapter 6)
• five-point hierarchy (chapter 8)
• factors listed in Table 8.1.
From this assessment, opportunities for upgrading existing routes or developing
new routes can be identified. All should provide cyclists with an appropriate LOS
and be feasible.
TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENT INFRASTRUCTURE CONTROLS/OTHER
• Traffic speeds and volumes
• Traffic composition,
especially % of
heavy vehicles
• Other road/path users’
demands and requirements
• Collision history
• Route/road cross-section
measurements
• Topographic and land
use information
• Parking controls
• Access and parking
demand characteristics
• Intersection layout details
• Key infrastructure details
• Local traffic calming
measures
• Drainage and utility services
• Public lighting
• Property driveway positions
• Traffic management controls
and operational details, for
example traffic signals
• Planning regulations
• Local initiatives and
developments
• Local technical
requirements
• Applicable route
design guidelines
• Land ownership
• Land owner requirements
Table 8.1: Factors to consider during route option assessments
8.3 Five-point hierarchy
The five-point hierarchy of measures to help cyclists (IHT et al, 1996) is considered in this order:
• Reduce traffic volumes.
• Reduce traffic speeds.
• Adapt intersections.
• Re-allocate road space.
• Provide on-road cycle lanes and off-road cycle paths.
These measures can be applied to the road and path system as a whole and to
individual routes.
Cycle lanes and cycle paths, often the most commonly suggested measures, should only be
considered after the issues higher in the list.
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