Guidelines for the planning of urban cycle highways

Summary

In view of the international examples, the expectations regarding the quality and the benefits of fast cycling routes (also known as cycle highways) are often very high. Authorities, planners and lobby organizations alike see them to be a central and high-quality element for the promotion of cycling.

This Swiss research paper gives answers on how to satisfactorily implement fast cycling routes – especially taking into account design and planning issues and legal questions in dense urban areas. This includes the definition of geometric design elements (such as design speed, sight distance, lane width, curve radiuses, junction design etc.) as well as rulings for the right of way, the amendment of traffic lights and the integration into the road space (road markings, signalization, sign-posting etc.).

The results are guidelines for the planning and design of fast cycling routes in cities and agglomerations.

While there is an emphasis on the typically dense spatial conditions in Switzerland, most of the results can be applied universally. The paper is in German but there is an English and French summary of the most important findings.