Elements of Sustainable Transportation
Cycle Tracks
| Current Events | Links |
|
Elements of Sustainable Transportation |
Cycle Tracks |
A cycle track is an on-street bikeway that is separated from auto traffic by some sort of barrier (typically a 1 to 8 foot curb or landscaped boulevard- known as a 'sidian' or verge). The Dutch and the Danish have led the way with cycle tracks. Montreal provides a N. American example of a two-way cycle track on one side of the road. There is a need for on-going research as to the safety and equity of cycle tracks when compared to bike lanes. |
| Our current thinking is that cities in the U.S. should strive for a well-connected bike lane system on arterials, using cycle tracks only on very high-volume, high speed streets. Ideally, a 'culture of respect' will continue to evolve, a culture that will allow bikes and cars to share 'unsegregated' street space. Perhaps a bike lane is a way to provide just enough separation to promote cycling comfort and safety, without confining bikes to the sides of arterial streets. This may be one of the most important issues in sustainable transportation. What do you think? |
 |
A cycle track is between the sidewalk and parked cars. (Denmark) |
 |
Cycle track with bus pullout. (Denmark) |
 |
Well-built and maintained bicycle facilities encourage shifts from driving to cycling. This reduces pollution, roadway expansions, and crashes. This bikeway has turn arrows. (Copenhagen) |
 |
| Degrees of separation: texture, color, material, and gradient (gradient refers to the different heights of the walkway, bikeway and motorway). |
 |
Bikeway raised from the roadway. (Vancouver B.C.) |
 |
Bi-directional, separated bikeway in Montreal. This facility also serves rollerbladers and wheelchairs. |
 |
The 3-foot verge, or sidian, between the parked white van and the bikeway creates a space for bicyce parking, benches, and landscaping, and also keeps car doors from hitting cyclists. |
 |
Without the sidian, cars are likely to encroach on the bikeway. (Copenhagen) |
 |
Side profile of a cycle track. Inset parking on the far left. (Copenhagen) |
 |
Cycle track with separate bike signal and brick surface. Cross walk blocked by cars. (Holland) |
 |
Shared bikeway/ parking access lane. Parking turnover rate is a factor. |
 |
A wide curb lane for bicylists turns into a cycle track up ahead (sidewalk is on the right). (Denmark) |
Links: |
In: when to use a cycle track (Dutch Model) examples of intersection design with cycle tracks |
Out: www.bikesbelong.org www.bta4bikes.org www.ibike.org www.velo.qc.ca www.bikeplan.com |
| Current Events | Links |