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Cycle network and route planning guide

Cycle network

This guide aims to promote a consistent approach to planning the provision for cycling in New Zealand.

Print version: Cycle network and route planning guide (PDF, 1.92 MB, 92 pages)

Print and bound copies of the guide are available for $20. Please follow the instructions on our Publications page under 'Ordering publications'.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Glossary of terms

Abbreviations

The principles of cycle network planning

The cycle network planning process

Appendices

Acknowledgements

The following consultants contributed to the project:

Paul Ryan of Opus International Consultants, Hamilton, team leader, literature review and drafting.

Roger Boulter, Transport Consultant, Hamilton, literature review and drafting.

Kym Dorrestyn, Consultant, Adelaide, literature review and drafting.

Soeren Underlien Jensen, Atkins Global Consultants, Denmark, peer review.

Steering group

Tim Hughes (Project Manager) and Lyndon Hammond, Land Transport Safety Authority

Gerard Burgess, Transfund New Zealand

Ian Clark and David McGonigal, Transit New Zealand

Michael Blyleven and Nick Bryan, Environment Canterbury

Michael Ferigo, Christchurch City Council

Esther Sassenburg, North Shore City Council

Rachel Algar, Manukau City Council

Glen Koorey, Cycling Advocates Network

Michele Gyde, Cycle Safe Christchurch (School Cycle Education)

Glossary of terms

BUS LANE
A bus lane that cyclists can also use.

CONTRA-FLOW LANE
A lane that permits cyclists to ride against traffic in a one-way street.

CYCLE
A vehicle with two or more wheels and pedals that is propelled mainly by the muscular effort of the rider. It includes bicycles, tricycles and power-assisted cycles with no more than 200 watts total auxiliary power.

CYCLE ADVISORY GROUP
A group of stakeholder representatives that advises on improving cycling conditions.

CYCLE FACILITY
Infrastructure that is cycling-specific, such as cycle lanes, paths and parking.

CYCLE LANE
A lane marked on a road with a cycle symbol, which can only be used by cyclists.

CYCLE NETWORK PLAN
A map of the primary cycle route network (see definition below) and a schedule of the cycle infrastructure projects required to develop it.

CYCLE PATH
An off-road path for cycles. It can be an exclusive cycle path, a shared-use path or a separated path (see definitions below).

CYCLE PROVISION
The provision of satisfactory conditions for cycling, whether or not there are specific cycle facilities.

CYCLING PLANNER / CHAMPION
A road controlling authority employee who is responsible for the day-to-day planning and implementation of cycle provision in the authority's area.

CYCLING POLICY
A general course of action relating to cycling to be adopted by the government or an organisation.

CYCLING SAFETY AUDIT
A formal process to identify factors that could either increase the risk of crashes involving cyclists, or increase the severity of cyclists' injuries in a crash.

CYCLING STRATEGIC PLAN
A document setting out cycling objectives and the actions required to achieve them including a cycle network plan.

DESIRE LINE
A straight line between the origin and destination of a potential cycle trip.

EXCLUSIVE CYCLE PATH
A path that can be used legally only by cyclists.

GRADE SEPARATION
The vertical separation of cyclists by a bridge or underpass across a roadway, railway line etc. It contrasts with an atgrade intersection or level crossing.

HOOK TURN
A right turn a cyclist makes at traffic signals, where they keep left while proceeding straight through the intersection, wait at the far left side for the lights to change, then cross with the side road traffic.

LEISURE CYCLING
Cycling done just for the journey itself, not to get to an activity at the journey's end. Sports and recreation cyclists and cycle tourists do leisure cycling.

LEVEL OF SERVICE
The quality measure of how well conditions provide for road users. For motor traffic it mainly assesses interruptions to free traffic flow. For cycling, other factors seem to be more important such as perceived safety, comfort, and directness of route. Refer to section 9.5

PRIMARY CYCLE NETWORK
The most used cycle facilities, designed mainly for trips across town and between suburbs.

SEPARATED PATH
A path where the section for cyclists' use is separated from the section for pedestrians' use.

SHARED-USE PATH
A path provided for use by both cyclists and pedestrians.

TRAFFIC CALMING
A combination of measures (mostly changes to the road environment) aimed at altering driver behaviour (such as by reducing speed) and improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and residents.

TRANSIT LANE
A lane which can only be used by public passenger vehicles, motor cycles, cycles and motor vehicles carrying a specified minimum number of passengers.

UTILITY CYCLING
Cycling done mainly to get to an activity at the journey's end, such as commuting trips to work, education or shops.

Abbreviations

BCI
Bicycle compatibility index
CDS
(Cycle design supplement). New Zealand supplement to Austroads Guide to traffic engineering practice: Part 14: Bicycles. (Transit New Zealand, 2004)
EECA
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
LOS
Level of service (see glossary)
LTCCP
Long term council community plans
LTSA
Land Transport Safety Authority
RCA
Road controlling authority
RLTC
Regional land transport committee
RLTS
Regional land transport strategy
SPARC
Sport and Recreation New Zealand

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Page updated: 16 June 2006