Collection of Cycle Concepts 2012 COLOPHON
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COLLECTION OF CYCLE CONCEPTS 2012 COLOPHON Title: Collection of Cycle Concepts 2012 Authors: Troels Andersen, Fredericia Municipality Frits Bredal, Danish Cyclists’ Federation Marianne Weinreich, VEKSØ Niels Jensen, City of Copenhagen Morten Riisgaard-Dam, Aros Kommunikation Malene Kofod Nielsen, COWI Advisory Group: Søren Underlien-Jensen, Trafitec Henrik Nejst Jensen, The Danish Road Directorate Troels Andersen, Fredericia Municipality Malene Kofod Nielsen, COWI Images: See Sources and photo credits Layout: Aros Kommunikation Translation: Joan Høberg-Petersen Printer: Rounborg Grafiske Hus, Holstebro Copies issued: 1,300 Publisher: Cycling Embassy of Denmark. Published with funding from the national cycling promotion fund. Collection of cycle concepts 2012 revises and updates Collection of cycle concepts published by the The Danish Road Directorate, 2000. FOREWORD The first edition of Collection of Cycle Concepts was published in 2000 and enjoyed a wide circulation among everyone interested in bicycle traffic. The simultaneous publication of the English version spread the Danish bicycle traffic experience to many parts of the world. The second edition, Collection of Cycle Concepts 2012, updates the field, featuring new challenges and the latest knowledge. Collection of Cycle Concepts 2012 is not intended to be a summary of Danish road standards, but to provide inspi- ration and motivation for creating more and safer bicycle traffic – in Denmark as well as the rest of the world. Troels Andersen, chairman, 1 Cycling Embassy of Denmark Knowledge sharing Campaigns Inspiration Motivation Cooperation Benefits Signage Cycle maps Cycle route planners Cost-benefit Cycling initiatives Passability Models Security Safety Bicycle parking facilities Spoiling the cyclist Bicycle service Cycling infrastructure Tradition Road safety Lifestyle Activities Cycling facilities Cycle tourism Attractions Maintenance Activities Quality Bicycle traffic Sign posting Urban planning Sustainable transport City bikes Commuter bikes Company bikes Contents 2. Introduction 7 - 10 3. Collaborations and networks 11 - 14 4. Cost-benefit and traffic models 15 - 20 5. Campaigns and marketing 21 - 30 6. Health and cycling 31 - 36 7. Urban planning and bicycle planning 37 - 46 8. Planning the cycling infrastructure 47 - 72 9. Designing the cycling infrastructure 73 - 106 10. Bicycle parking 107 - 122 11. Road signage and maps, cycle route planners, and ITS 123 - 134 12. Maintenance and road construction 135 - 142 13. Public bikes and commuter bikes 143 - 148 14. Cycle tourism 149 - 156 15. Sources and photo credits 157 - 162 INTRODUCTION COLLECTION OF CYCLE CONCEPTS 2012 Bicycle traffic is healthy, environmentally friendly, and makes cities more livable. Cycling is a fast and efficient urban transport mode and requires less space than motor vehicle traffic. The Collection of cycle concepts 2012 presents a number of ideas to help generate more bicycle traffic and reduce the 2 accident rate among cyclists. INTRODUCTION The growth of vehicular traffic presents a challenge to the environment as well as to traffic flows. The issue is less pronounced in Denmark than in other European countries, but is getting worse. Fortunately, Denmark has a strong bicycle culture, developed over more than a century. Today approximately 1 journey in 5 in Denmark takes place by bike. The denser the urban area, the higher the cycling modal share; in the densest urban areas cycling is the primary transport mode. In order to create sustainable transport in future, cycling must continue to play a major role. The infrastructure must be designed so as to get maximum use out of the bicycle’s features and possibilities. In return bicycle traffic reduces the need for major roads, thereby making it possible to postpone or avoid costly road construction. A large proportion of short journeys in cities can take place by bicycle. Cars are often indispensable for longer journeys and the bicycle cannot be the sole transport mode. A reasonable interaction between transport modes is necessary. The proper balance of high quality roads and paths that meet the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers can create more livable cities without sacrificing interaction. In recent years the use of cargo bikes and cycle trailers to carry children or goods has become increasingly widespread. This makes life much easier for families with children even without a car or a second car. A marked increase in the use of e-bikes, which has not been at the expense of traditional bikes, is another factor that helps improve the quality of life over somewhat longer distances. Increasingly, cycling is being integrated with bus, train and even air travel for long journeys; this is important, since commuting is on the rise and fewer and fewer people can rely on the bicycle as their sole transport mode. There is a need for traffic terminals that provide easy access when changing from one transport mode to another. Cycling is also of great benefit to the individual. A half hour of daily physical activity, such as cycling, increases the average life span by several years and improves the physical and mental quality of life. Cycling is a healthy, prophylactic form of exercise. Furthermore, in urban areas cycling is often the quickest means of getting from point A to point B. When cycling you experience the weather and the seasons more deeply, becoming an integral part of the life of the city. INTRODUCTION Road authorities are not the only ones who are Improving physical conditions for cyclists is a must drop. In Denmark we are accustomed to instrumental in changing our transport attitudes, since citizens need to see favourable material introducing restrictions on motor traffic, such making it more acceptable to bike; businesses, changes to make them want to choose cycling as fuel taxes, parking fees and speed-limit schools, organizations, etc. can also play a major as an alternative to driving. The construction of reductions. Such restrictions will continue to role. cycle tracks is excellent, but smooth road and be necessary if the measures intended to boost cycle track surfaces are also key parameters, as cycling are to have the desired effect. At least MORE CYCLISTS, PLEASE! are bicycle parking facilities. Small measures can of equal importance is the competition interface Many people choose to cycle because it’s have a big impact, and cycle friendly installations with public transport. The goal should be that convenient, healthy and cheap. However, it’s a generate positive PR. public transport shouldn’t appear too attractive major challenge to encourage people to change to potential cyclists. transport modes so that more people cycle rather Quality lies in the details. There are many than drive. different types of cycle track and the choice of Fruitful collaboration between transport modes is cross profile can be crucial. Intersection design critical to the smooth function of society, socially, It is essential to combine public relations, has a tremendous impact on safety as well as economically, and in relation to traffic and the educational campaigns and other soft measures passability. Fortunately, Denmark has many years environment. A coordinated effort is an absolute with hard, physical and economic initiatives. The of experience with many different designs to must for improving health and creating more combination of hard and soft measures is crucial protect cyclists from injury. In recent years work livable cities . to bring about a significant change in citizens’ has been done to devise new methods of giving transport habits and road safety behaviour. At cyclists priority so as to increase travel speeds SAFER CYCLISTS the same time the synergistic effect of multiple and reduce the number of stops. Cyclists can be In many cities where the number of cyclists has initiatives yields a higher rate of behavior catered to by a number of different services that increased, the total number of traffic accidents modification for the money. make daily life a bit easier. has dropped more than in other cities. In other Cycling promotion becomes significantly more words, it is possible to increase bicycle traffic and There are two general approaches for designing difficult when motor traffic is encouraged by improve road safety at the same time. The more campaigns to promote cycling. The first approach favourable physical and economic conditions. cyclists there are, the safer the individual cyclist, aims at encouraging frequent cyclists to continue Motor traffic conditions are often improved, the reason being that drivers very rarely overlook cycling and occasional cyclists to cycle more. particularly when automobile related expenses a cluster of cyclists. More people cycling means This is a relatively cheap way to promote bicycle traffic. The young and the middle aged are the primary target audience and can be reached through businesses and educational institutions. A good example of this type of campaign is the “We bike to work” campaign, which mobilizes 100,000 Danish participants. This type of campaign is part of a larger picture in which sustainable mobility is the key concept. The second type of campaign aims at persuading people who are primarily drivers to cycle. Children as a target group play a vital role in this kind of campaign because bicycle culture is based on a continuous influx of new cyclists and the foundation for cycling habit formation takes place in childhood. Competitions and education have proved effective in encouraging children to cycle, especially in combination with projects designed to improve road safety and sense of security on school routes. Inveterate drivers are relatively resource demanding, and should therefore be dropped as a primary target group. It is true of all cycling campaigns that a positive approach based on enjoyable experiences, humour and fun is far more effective than waving an admonishing finger. In addition to running promotional campaigns it is essential to tell the public what steps are actually being taken for cyclists. Over the long haul the continuous marketing of good cycling stories constantly reminds citizens of the advantages of cycling.