A hostile road environment has contributed heavily to the decline of cycling in the UK.

Cycle tracks, lanes and other facilities, are only one part of the solution. Authorities wishing to make the roads more cycle-friendly should refer to the Government's 'Hierarchy of Provision', which prioritises reducing traffic volume and speeds on the road itself, and asks practitioners to consider converting footways into shared use last.  See our page on the pros and cons of offroad provision for more.

At the end of 2008, the Department for Transport published Cycle Infrastructure Design, its new guidance on cycling provision. 

Key CTC Policy

• When used as a mode of transport cyclists’ usual preference and indeed, right, is to ride on the road and all scheme designs and standards should presume in favour of on-road cycle provision. The hierarchy of provisions should be adopted.

• When considering the advantages of choosing cycle tracks or lanes and their design, highway authorities should refer to the Hierarchy of Provision. Implementation of measures higher up the hierarchy may make it easier to introduce cycle lanes or may render them unnecessary

• Except through protected cycle by-passes or to pass stationary traffic at junctions, the absolute minimum width for cycle lanes is 1.5 metres, but 2 metres is preferred and essential at higher speeds.   Anything less than this deprives cyclists of road space and encourages traffic to pass too close.