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Human Behaviour and Design of Cycle Facilities

Ton Hummel:

Principal Safety Engineer at Skanska, Bristol UK.

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Design of Cycle Facilities

• Are cyclists (and drivers) going to behave the way we intended?

• Are we sure our designs are resulting in correct behaviour?

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Behaviour of Cyclist

− Does general behaviour in UK differ from the Netherlands?

− Does behaviour differ for different types of cyclists?

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Differences in Behaviour?

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Important differences

− Speed

− Acceptance of interruptions and detours

− Acceptance of risk

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What does this mean for our designs?

Example:

Fast commuting cyclist on shared path (footway/ cycle path).

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What does this mean for our designs?

Fast commuting cyclist on shared path (footway/ cycle path).

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Main requirements of all cycle facilities

1. Safe

2. Short

3. Direct

4. Continuous

5. Comfortable

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Main requirements of all cycle facilities

Not meeting all 5 requirements is likely to result in unexpected behaviour.

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Unexpected Behaviour?

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Unexpected Behaviour?

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Unexpected Behaviour?

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Unexpected Behaviour?

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Safe Cycle facilities

− Reducing lateral conflicts (cars overtaking cyclists)

− Reducing conflicts at junctions

− Reducing conflicts at start and end of cycle facilities

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Reducing lateral conflicts

− Physical segregation (cycle paths)

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Reducing lateral conflicts

− Physical segregation (cycle paths)

− Non-physical segregation (cycle lanes)

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Cycle lanes

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Reducing lateral conflicts

− Physical segregation (cycle paths)

− Non-physical segregation (cycle lanes)

− Other non-physical segregation (for instance use of bus lanes)

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Reducing lateral conflicts

− Physical segregation (cycle paths)

− Non-physical segregation (cycle lanes)

− Other non-physical segregation (for instance use of bus lanes)

− Mixed traffic

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Mixed traffic. Profiles to avoid.

Safe are:

A. Narrow profile; car can not overtake cyclist in own lane (or on own side of centre line)

B. Wide profile; car can safely overtake cyclist in own lane (or on own side of centre line)

Avoid:

Critical profiles (anything in between A and B)!

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Mixed traffic. Non-critical profile.

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

1. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

1. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

Photo 1

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

1. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

Photo 2 (same cyclist; a bit further down his route).

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

2. Requiring cyclists to give way is safer than the other way around.

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

3. Maintenance of cycle paths is not as “safety critical” as on routes for motorised traffic

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

4. Hazardous crossings are safer to negotiate as pedestrian than as cyclist (cyclists dismount)

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

5. Shared use footways are a good and cheap option

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

6. Shared bus lanes are a good and cheap option

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

7. Not providing access barriers at start and end of cycle paths will lead to misuse

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

8. Allowing car parking within cycle lane is acceptable

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

9. Providing cycle facilities is expensive

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Myths in design of cycle facilities

10.A major shift in modal split is possible without introducing additional delays for cars

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Thank you!

Divera Twisk

Ton Hummel

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Reducing conflicts at Junctions

Important causation factors of accidents with cyclists at junctions:

− Drivers not seeing (or not noticing) cyclist

− Not enough space for cyclists

− Cyclist doing something unexpected

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Reducing conflicts at Junctions

Potential solutions for those conflict types:

− Advanced stop lines (with proper lead-in to provide enough space for cyclists).

− Continuation of cycle lanes through junction area (preferably in coloured surface).

− Separate stage (or pre-start) for cyclists in signalisation

− Continuation of cycle facilities after junction area.

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Cyclists on Roundabouts

Photo Fietsberaad

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Cyclists on Roundabouts

Photo Fietsberaad

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Cyclists on Roundabouts

Photo Fietsberaad