Designed for Cycling

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What does CTC's membership think about infrastructure?

By Chris Peck on 22 May 2012
In April CTC ran a survey of attitudes of cyclists towards road design and infrastructure. A report on the survey has now been published and reveals a broad consensus behind improving design standards of cycle facilities.
Wide, well designed cycle track in The Hague

CTC is currently reviewing all its policies. On the fraught topic of cycle infrastructure and road design CTC decided to elicit cyclists’ views on the matter to inform the development of a new policy.

The survey gathered comments and measured attitudes to statements on the subject of cycle infrastructure and transport planning for cyclists. 1,130 people responded to the survey, mostly members of CTC.

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Welsh plan for connected communities - why detail is important

By Chris Peck on 10 May 2012
The Welsh Government is about to legislate to force local authorities to map out and plan improvements to the cycle networks. Although a great step, I think it's vital that the routes are of a proper standard to make cycling attractive and feasible.
NCN 8 in the Wye Valley

I greatly enjoyed a tour cycling the length Wales using National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 8 - Lôn Las Cymru - a couple of years ago. The route follows minor roads and, if starting from the south, begins on the Taff Trail, a traffic-free route that heads north from Cardiff. It's routes like these that local authorities in Wales will have to map out and plan improvements to under the proposed legislation.

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Brighton goes against the flow

By Chris Peck on 8 May 2012
Contra-flow cycling is coming to more streets in the North Laine neighbourhood of central Brighton.
Jubilee St has a contra-flow cycle lane - 12 more will only be signed only

Brighton's North Laine neighbourhood is a vibrant shopping area, tucked in between the railway station, the main road north to London and the historic town centre. Narrow terraced streets were long ago made one-way to reduce through motor traffic. But, as with nearly every one-way restriction over the decades, no concession was made for cyclists.

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Crashing into a pothole - what happened next

By Chris Peck on 30 April 2012
In 2008, I was riding to work in central London when I hit a pothole, catapulting me over the handlebars into the road. I incurred nasty facial injuries and the crash destroyed my bike. CTC's legal team forced the highway authority into admitting liability, resulting in compensation being paid out.
Chris in the pothole that brought him down

The crash happened at rush hour on a wet day. There was masses of surface water on the roads and visibility was poorer than normal.  

At the time a hotel was being constructed by the road and large construction vehicles were coming to and fro constantly. I was trying to stay well away from one of these lorries when I hit a very deep water-filled pothole, causing the front wheel on my bike to collapse and sending me face first onto the road.

Fill that hole

Fillthathole.org.uk
Potholes are hazardous to cyclists while rough road surfaces make cycling more uncomfortable and requires more energy to ride over. Fill that hole allows you to report potholes anywhere in the country directly to the highway authority.
Sarah Walker's picture

Barriers on cycle paths

By Sarah Walker on 24 April 2012
On road and off-road, there are a number of ways that cyclists can be discouraged from using a particular route. There may be natural challenges on some routes, but far more frustrating are those that have been designed in, making access for all difficult or in some cases impossible.
A chicane barrier on a path legally accessible to cyclists

Access to routes that are open to cyclists, whether in urban or rural locations, are a growing issue for those who ride adapted cycles.

There are a number of ways that access can be compromised and often a range of users are affected; those riding adapted cycles, those with pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters, for example.

While there are issues for cyclists riding two wheelers, these issues are wider still for those riding bikes which have been adapted for practical purposes, e.g. to accommodate a disability, to carry a load or a second person.

Files: 
image/jpeg iconA York chicane
image/jpeg iconA U chicane
image/jpeg iconA horse style
image/jpeg iconAn L chicane
Cherry Allan's picture

Road maintenance and lighting

By Cherry Allan on 13 April 2012
All road users benefit from good road maintenance and effective lighting. Cyclists, however, suffer more than most from defects in the surface, and councils don't always light cycle paths.
Cyclist reporting defect to CTC's www.fillthathole.org.uk
Headline Messages: 

Road surfaces

A rough road surface - or even a relatively minor fault in it - can make cycling not only uncomfortable, but extremely hazardous. Hitting a pothole, or swerving to avoid one can lead to loss of control, collisions and falls. Poor drainage, or sunken, raised or badly fitted drain covers can also present dangers, as can thoughtlessly installed cats eyes and road studs.

Indeed, well over 10% of the injury reports made to CTC’s Accident Line for members involve road defects.

There are all sorts of reasons for deterioration: passage of time and vehicles; harsh weather conditions; freeze/thaw; or simply neglect.

‘Street works’ carried out by statutory undertakers (e.g. water, telecom companies etc) often cause problems too – after the road surface has been broken into, repairs may not be particularly well done and not last long. What's more, there is a tendency to forget about cyclists whilst road works are actually being carried out - temporary traffic lights, for example, may not give them enough time to get past; or they may be sent on a long, relatively unsafe diversion.

Lack of funding has a lot to do with the poor state of the roads. The 2012 Alarm report (from the  Asphalt Industry Alliance) says that while there are signs that the situation in England and Wales is improving, there is still a projected annual shortfall of £800 million.

Debris

Broken glass and other debris tends to collect at the side of the road and, as this is where cyclists usually ride, is not only a puncture risk nuisance, but can cause cyclists to fall.  Regular sweeping - that doesn't forget about cycle paths away from the carriageway - is essential, therefore.

CTC's briefing on cyclists, vegetation and hedge trimmings offers some advice on what to do if you encounter a problem.

Lighting

Good lighting is, obviously, important for cyclists wherever they ride. Unfortunately, councils sometimes omit to light cycle paths away from the road, usually because of the cost. Riding along unlit paths at night can be hazardous, or make people feel insecure – meaning that even routes that are otherwise well designed may not be used to their full potential.

The highway authority is responsible for highway lighting, but it can pay district councils and parish councils to carry out further work   

  • CTC takes road defects so seriously, that we offer an online reporting tool - Fill That Hole - please use it!
  • For a discussion of road defects, plus an intriguing insight into how potholes form - see Roads to Ruin, an article by CTC's Chris Peck for Cycle magazine (Dec/Jan 2011/12).
  • In 2003, CTC gave written and oral evidence to the Parliamentary Transport Committee's inquiry into local roads and pathways, explaining why maintenance is so important to cyclists. The Committee agreed.

Local authorities and Government are letting cyclists down by failing to ensure the road network is kept in a condition safe for them to use. This must be a key factor in deterring potential cyclists and in the disappointing levels of cycle use.

Local Roads and Pathways (Parliamentary Transport Committee Report on its inquiry, 2003)

CTC View (formal statement of CTC's policy): 
  • Maintenance policies should prioritise cycle routes and facilities and the 1.5m of carriageway closest to the kerbside where cyclists commonly ride.
  • The positioning of drainage, cats eyes and road studs should be planned to avoid as far as is possible: cycle lanes; the metre strip on the left side of major roads and the kerbside within one metre of the carriageway.
  • Routine maintenance including cleaning and sweeping should be timetabled in respect of all cycle facilities
  • On busy roads, gully openings should be in the kerb face, rather than on the carriageway surface.
  • The highways authority should consider cyclists whilst exercising its powers of quality control during and after street works.
  • The Codes of Practice should safeguard the interests of cyclists.
  • Fines for individual defects should be sufficient to deter large companies such as the statutory undertakers from carrying out inadequate reinstatement.
  • A safe alternative facility for cyclists and/or pedestrians should be provided where streetworks obstruct a shared path or footway.
  • Cycle speeds should be taken into account in the phasing of all temporary traffic signals.
  • The standards of reinstatement established under the 1991 Streetworks Act should be maintained.
  • Personal security should be a consideration in the provision of lighting. Any defect in street lighting should be repaired within 48 hours of notification.
  • Cycle lanes or tracks should be lit where practical.
Publication Date: 
April 2012
Cherry Allan's picture

Roads to Ruin (Cycle magazine, CTC Dec/Jan 2011/12)

By Cherry Allan on 13 April 2012
Unless our potholes are properly fixed, next summer’s Olympic road race could have echoes of Paris-Roubaix’s pavé. CTC Campaigns and Policy Coordinator Chris Peck explains why UK roads are so bad.
Reporting a road defect to CTC's www.fillthathole.org.uk

Occasionally when cycling in France you will come across a road sign that says ‘Chausée déformée’, followed by a section of road that is perhaps a bit on the bumpy side or contains the occasional pothole. I’ve always found this sign hilarious. If the standards used in France were adopted in Britain, there would be many roads where this sign would have to be erected every few hundred metres over their entire length.

Files: 
application/pdf iconRoads to Ruin
Related Content
Related Publication: 
Cycle Magazine - December / January 2012
Cherry Allan's picture

Cycle parking (good practice)

By Cherry Allan on 12 April 2012
There's hardly a destination where cycle parking isn't necessary - schools, businesses, stations, surgeries, shopping centres, to name but a few. This guide explains the best way of providing it.
Cycle parking

The importance of well designed, high quality and convenient cycle parking wherever it's needed (or potentially needed) must never be underestimated. It affects the chances of a bike being stolen or damaged; and it can even influence someone’s decision to cycle in the first place. Lampposts, railings or gutter pipes just aren't good enough.

Files: 
application/pdf iconCycle parking (CTC/Sustrans, 2004)
Cherry Allan's picture

Cycle parking (Campaigning view)

By Cherry Allan on 12 April 2012
It goes without saying that when people cycle somewhere, most of them will need a secure, convenient place to lock their bike for a while when they get there. Lampposts, railings or gutter pipes are simply not good enough.
Cycle parking sign
Headline Messages: 

There’s hardly a destination where cycle parking isn’t necessary – train stations, schools, surgeries, garden centres, shopping streets, to name but a few. See our guide to cycle parking for more on best practice.

CTC View (formal statement of CTC's policy): 
  • Short stay cycle parking should be based on the Sheffield stand design. Cycle lockers and more complex systems should be available at destinations where long stay parking is required.
  • Cycle parking should be located close to any entrance to required facilities. Where parking in public places is provided, such as in shopping centres and public transport interchanges it is preferable to maximise visibility to passers-by and CCTV.
  • All cycle parking facilities should have adequate lighting and if long-stay, protection from the weather.
  • The amount of good quality cycle parking in developments should be increased and cycle parking should be included in all new developments.
Publication Date: 
April 2012
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  • President: Jon Snow
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