Fact Sheet H-09 – Signposting and Service Infrastructure Signposting whereas tourists may prefer thematic or scenic routes. Different user groups Since cycle route networks may bear will also have differing needs regarding characteristics that are different from destinations. the classic road network, signposting Since the use of numerous signpos- helps cyclists to fnd the best and most ting systems will result in a sign clutter convenient route to their destination. especially at intersections it is recom- Cycle routes often include shortcuts or mended that a standard be defned on paths through green areas, which may local or – even better – on regional or be located more easily by cyclists unfa- national level. Signs should be desig- miliar with the network when indicated ned in a way that allows for easy rea- through signage. ding from a typical distance of approa- Signposting is also a form of public ching cyclists. They should not include Service station in Munster with underground parking and service facilities (source: Jan relations. The consistent use of stan- more than two destinations per direc- Schubert) dardised colours, symbols and fonts for tion and corresponding distances. wayfnding creates an easily recognis- facilites or information for tourists. Pla- able identity for cycling in a town, regi- cing the station at a location where the on or country. Signposting also helps to volume of cyclists is high (e.g. a train make bicycle routes more visible and station in the form of Bike+Ride) is noticeable not only for cyclists. recommended. Additionally, it is user- Implementing signposting is based friendly. Commuters who ride their bi- on a signposting plan that corresponds cycle to the station can have it repaired with the desired bicycle route network while they are working and pick it up on (see Fact Sheet H-01). Furthermore it the way home. should defne primary and secondary Stations in Germany (e.g. in Munster, destinations within the area. It is impor- Kiel, Erfurt and Hanover) usually vary tant to provide continuous signage to in size, types of parking facilities and the posted destinations. This ensures Wayfnding with two destinations per sign and range of services. Since bicycles usu- a cohesive wayfnding system free of easily recognisable signs for various routes, for ally will be parked for long periods, ap- gaps. In some cases coordination with example the blue “e” for Elbe Cycle Path (sour- propriate parking facilities are recom- ce: Kevin Vincent) neighbouring municipalities or regions mended (see Fact Sheet H-08). Some may be necessary to ensure route con- Service stations stations also include shops or informa- tinuity for trans-regional destinations. tion stands from local public transport Different user needs, especially of Service stations are a combination of companies. Repair shops sometimes commuters, recreational cyclists and bicycle garage with monitored parking, operate in cooperation with a social as- tourists should be taken into account. mobility services and facilities for re- sociation involving people that are dif- Commuters, for example, will require pairs and maintenance of bicycles. Mo- fcult to place on the job market in order more direct routes for everyday use bility services can include bicycle rental to give them employment. Best Practice: Thematic cycle routes Best Practice: Cycling maps The city administration in Kiel has developed bicycle tours which offer both tou- The city of Gdansk published a bi- rists and residents the option of route and theme. One tour that was prepared is - called “Tatort Cycle Tour” (Tatort (engl.: crime scene) is one of the most popular rentiated information about bicycle inf- TV series in Germany. Many of the episodes were produced in Kiel.). Cyclists rastructure type (e.g. cycle path, cycle are guided through the city along a route that includes many scenes from the lane, combined foot and bicycle path, episodes. Thus fans of the series can visit those places and get an impression shared space, combined bus and bike lane etc). The map also shows

of bicycle parking, bike rental and bike shops. The city of Dresden worked with vo- lunteers from the German Cycling Fe- deration (ADFC) in 2011 to produce Additional services Addtional services also include provi- a bicycle map of the city. Volunteers ding (potential) cyclists with the neces- from the ADFC rode and evaluated Basic repair opportunities for cyclists sary information in order to make cycling should be available independent of more accessible and encourage discus- and bicycle paths. The map not only opening hours of service stations’ re- sion with citizens surrounding the pro- shows the types of infrastructure but pair shops. The most popular of these motion of cycling transport. Cycle maps, also what condition they are in. A opportunities are public air pumps. Tho- in particular, can help reduce the barriers pamphlet containing tips and addi- se should be installed in public spaces to cycling for new or visiting cyclists by tional information accompanies the in order to provide a facility for quick re- informing them of the location of bicycle map. Central MeetBike helped fund pair works. Many different types have routes and cycling infrastructure. the printing of the map. been developed, so that municipalities can choose for their unique design. Additional service may be provided by public toolboxes and tube automats that allow for repairing bicycles inde- pendently from opening hours of ser- vice stations and regular repair shops. Since measures like the ones presen- ted in this chapter are not crucial for a functional cycling system, they do not have a top priority in local cycling po- private investors to run these services A section of the cycling map of Gdansk showing cycle paths (red), cycle lanes (purple) and parking and please customers with them. locations amongst others (source: rowerowygdansk.pl - http://ww

Lessons learned: Signposting and services are instrumental in reducing barriers to cycling, increasing awareness and increasing the ease and comfort of cycling. Signposting helps identify continuous bicycle routes for primary and secondary destinations and should differentiate between various user needs. Service stations combine parking with additional services such as tourist information or bike shops, making service stations a destination in and of themsel- ves. Public air pumps and other additional services make cycling easier by providing quick repair opportunities.

For further resources, links and best practice examples pleasevisit the visit Sustainable the Central Urban MeetBike Transport Project website: http://wwwhttp://www.sutp.org/.centralmeetbike.eu

Central MeetBike is implemented through the CENTRAL Sources / Further literature: Deffner, Jutta; Ziel, Torben; Hefter, Thomas; Rudolph, Christian (eds.): “Handbook on Cycling Inclusive Planning

Contact: Jan Schubert / Dr. Frank Ließke (after September Hamburg. 2012. 2014) City of Gdansk: Tel.: +49 351 463-390 44 / +49 351 465-366 68 City of Kiel: Email: [email protected] / Notenspur-Initiative: [email protected] Thiemann-Linden, J.; Van Boeckhout, S.; Korn, S. (ed.): “Bicycle Parking at Train Stations”. Cycling Expertise Contributing authors: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerd-Axel Ahrens, Jan Schubert, Kevin Vincent Thiemann-Linden, Jörg; Van Boeckhout, Sara (ed.): “Signposting”. Cycling Expertise I-11. Berlin: German Institu- Photo: Radka Žaková (CDV)