Cycle network and route planning guide - NZ Transport Agency

11.6 Easiest or cheapest first
Description
The easiest or cheapest elements in a programme are given priority.
Advantages
A simple achievement measure, such as
the total length of a cycle route meeting
a certain LOS, gives an impression of
achievement. This is useful when the value
of a cycle route programme is questioned.
Disadvantages
The easiest or cheapest elements are not
always the most needed. The importance
of the different elements also needs to be
considered.
There is a risk that such a short-term
approach will lead to lower-quality
outcomes in the longer term.
11.7 Quality demonstration projects
Description
Priority is given to flagship projects that showcase attractive, high-quality facilities that
others will want to emulate in their own communities.
Advantage
This can build community support for
providing quality facilities of which they
can be proud.
Disadvantage
It may be expensive and use up all
the budget.
11.8 Area consolidation
Description
This gives priority to spreading cycle provision across a substantial area. Once a
consistently high cyclist LOS has been consolidated in one discrete area, provision is
spread to another.
Advantages
Consolidation may increase cycling and be
a more clearly demonstrable achievement.
If the whole area has achieved a
satisfactory standard, cycling promotion
can take place without undue concerns
about an unsafe environment for cycling.
Disadvantage
A focus on a single area over several
years may lead to charges of inequitable
treatment in relation to areas that do not
enjoy this investment.
11.9 Recommendations
Several criteria should be used together.
The cycle review or LOS criteria could usefully be combined with cycling usage data
and cross-compared with crash data and project costs. Together, these may indicate a
programme focus on a particular geographical area, bringing forward other lower-ranked
projects and removing identified blockages. This treatment could then be repeated for the
next highest-ranked area, and so on.
This approach should not, however, neglect the value of some demonstrable achievement
through implementing easy or cheap network elements or some quality flagship projects.
Similarly, a focus on a particular area should not neglect particularly strong needs
identified elsewhere.
During implementation, it may be useful to advance a lower-ranked cycling project and
combine it with the timing of a mainstream project. See section 12.2.1.
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