This document discusses various ways to prioritize cycling infrastructure in order to improve safety and encourage more cycling. It examines examples from the Netherlands of dedicated cycling infrastructure on side roads and at intersections. Key aspects discussed include visual priority for cyclists, continuity of cycleways, limiting turns for motor vehicles, and separating traffic flows. The document considers whether similar priority designs could be implemented in Britain and discusses potential barriers such as lack of technical guidance or legal issues. It emphasizes that priority benefits walking as well as cycling.

1. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
1) What forms of priority can we give
cycling already?

2. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Side roads

3. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
What is important to get right?
• Clear visual priority
• Certainty
• Continuity of cycleway (no kerb lines,
tactile paving, etc)
• Different colour?
• Markings
• Geometry
• Limited turning movements for motor
traffic

4. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
A Dutch example with all these
properties

5. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
No space for 'set back' distance -
• Continuity still important
• Two-way cycling not advisable
• Track should be at raised level
• Tight geometry for turning traffic
• Restrict motor traffic movements – one-way
on entry/exit (and combine with filtered
permeability)
• Or – close altogether
•

6. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Another Dutch example

7. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Combining with continuous footway
would help (but can we get it right?)

8. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Avoid at all costs - mixed messages!

9. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
What's gone wrong here?

10. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Priority at major junctions - roundabouts

11. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Priority at major junctions –
roundabouts
Can we do this?
Should we do this?

12. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Technically possible.

13. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
… But unpromising/uncertain efforts so
far ('tiger' crossing?)

14. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
And better to leave safety in the hands of
the person cycling at roundabouts
anyway?

15. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Non-priority roundabout
• Priority for motor traffic
• But bi-directional paths, allowing shortest
route around roundabout (or bypassing it
entirely)
• Single lane crossings, with adequate refuge
• Good sightlines

16. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Priority at signalised junctions
Separation of turning movements with signals

17. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
But what if there's 'no space'? Simultaneous
green?

18. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Do we need a rule change to allow ped/cycle
crossings ahead on green, with a turning green for
motor traffic?
• Would make junctions more efficient
• But needs to be designed for carefully, with Dutch
'set back' approach

19. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
But if even Dutch drivers need to be warned, is
this something that's advisable in Britain
(straight away?)

20. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
But... many existing ways we can design
priority for cycling. Why isn't it happening?
• Lack of confidence?
• Technical knowledge?
• No (or limited) guidance?
• Genuine legal problems?
• Something else? 'British culture'?

21. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
What (if anything) needs to change?
What would be helpful?
Rule changes? Cycling (and walking) ahead on
green being given priority over turning traffic on
green?
Simplified (changed?) road markings? Sharks
teeth? Elephants footprints?

22. Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
Finally...
This isn't just about cycling.
Priority benefits walking too.
Visual priority for crossing side streets.
Also can increase amount of crossing time given
to walking at signalised junctions.