Cycle network and route planning guide - NZ Transport Agency

11.3 Usage numbers
Description
This approach assigns priorities to existing routes with the most cyclists, which can
be based on counts at peak times.
Advantages
It is sound business practice to retain
existing customers before seeking to
attract new ones. Observing cyclists’
preferred routes tends to be a sounder
measure of their attractiveness than
theoretical models.
Disadvantages
This approach does not consider:
• demand suppressed by the traffic
dangers, physical difficulties or personal
safety concerns that most affect more
timid cyclists
• route elements that do not yet exist,
such as a path or bridge yet to be
constructed.
11.4 Crash records
Description
This method assigns priorities according to the crash cost savings that can be achieved.
Advantages
Crash data and costs are readily available
(see section 7.3.2) and will give some
indication of potential dangers.
Disadvantages
Cyclist crash data suffers from some
inadequacies. See section 7.3.2.
Cycle usage levels, suppressed demand
and the nature of hazards must also be
considered, as a low-crash cost could
reflect low usage, serious hazards deterring
cycle use or a high level of cyclist safety.
11.5 Blockage
removal
Description
Priority is assigned to projects where
removing a blockage would achieve the
greatest increase in cyclist numbers or
other cyclist benefits.
Blockages could be due to road or
traffic danger (such as a pinch point
or large roundabout), physical factors
(such as access to a destination across
an unbridged gully), or personal safety
concerns (such as a secluded path or
underpass).
Bridging a river, Millennium Bridge, York, United Kingdom. (Photo: Tim Hughes)
Advantage
This approach is particularly useful in
relatively cycle-friendly situations where
there is established demand on both
sides of a blockage.
Disadvantage
It can be difficult to predict cycle
usage increases that would result from
removing individual blockages.
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