SEStran launches cycling infrastructure guidance

Date : 20th June 2008

20 June 2008

For Immediate Release

SEStran launches cycling infrastructure guidance

Publication aims to set the standard for cycling

SEStran has today published a new cycle guidance publication that aims to set the standard for cycling infrastructure in South East Scotland. Launched during National Bike Week, the guide offers cycle infrastructure design guidance to help Local Authorities, developers and other stakeholders involved in providing new cycling infrastructure; whether specifically for cycling or for taking cycling into account for all forms of transportation infrastructure.

It includes examples of best practice from across the UK and Europe.SEStran is committed towards promoting cycling as a form of transport for shorter journeys, both for improved public health and as part of our strategy to cut traffic congestion and tackle the region’s carbon footprint.

We have made a major commitment to improving cycling infrastructure in South East Scotland as part of our Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) and are working towards increasing the number of people cycling or walking to work in the region by 5% over the next 15 years.

SEStran Chair, Cllr Russell Imrie said:

“There are a range of benefits to cycling, both in terms of general health and helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, but in many cases it’s simply the most practical transportation option”.

“Cycling is often the fastest door to door mode of transport for journeys of up to three miles. It’s cost effective, healthy and fun, but people can sometimes be put off by fear of exposure to traffic”.

“We hope that this guide will contribute towards setting the standard for cycling infrastructure in the future. With the right facilities, more and more people will be encouraged to get out of their cars and onto their bikes.  The better the infrastructure, the more cyclists there will be. It’s as simple as that”.

Copies of the guide, which will be sent to all major stakeholders, can be downloaded from the SEStran website at www.sestran.gov.uk  

ENDS

SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Dougal,

SEStran Communications Officer

T: 0131-524-5161

M: 07889-010-291

E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk

Notes 

  1. The South East Scotland Transport Partnership’s (SEStran) position on cycling infrastructure is laid out in the Regional Transport Strategy:
 “The improvement of cycling facilities will assist present day cyclists, and encourage more people to consider cycling as a potential mode of transport, since exposure to traffic is a significant deterrent for some. The promotion of cycling can bring major health and environmental benefits.” 
  1. Cycling contributes to several of SEStran’s key objectives, especially:
 
  • To improve access to employment;
  • To contribute to the achievement of the UK’s national targets and obligations on greenhouse gas emissions;
  • To promote more sustainable travel, and;
  • To increase transport choices, reducing dependency on the private car.
  
  1. The aim of this document is to contribute to the achievement of these objectives and targets by:
 

·         Providing cycle infrastructure design guidance to assist Local Authorities, developers and other stakeholders that are involved in providing new infrastructure, either specifically for cycling or for all modes of transport, and:

·         Providing examples of best practice from the UK and Europe.

  
  1. It is common to look to the Netherlands for the best examples of best practice in provision for cyclists. The main threat to bicycle use in the Netherlands is cited as urban sprawl: people living within three kilometres of a centre or sub-centre tend to make more frequent short journeys, more suited to cycling, than people living further away. Cycling levels depend on the distance people live from places of employment, leisure facilities and other goods and services. Successful design for cycling therefore depends heavily on the planning system in the first instance.
 
  1. As the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle the cyclist has the same right to use the public road system as any other user. All new road infrastructure should take account of the needs of cyclists unless cycling is specifically prohibited. Similarly all traffic management schemes on existing roads should cater for cyclists, wherever possible giving them visible priority.
 
  1. Many people are nervous about taking up or returning to cycling due to factors such as the speed of traffic and the limited width of the carriageway. In those circumstances it is essential to provide alternative routes, either on alternative roads or off-road.
 
  1. In order to increase the number of cyclists and reassure, those who may be nervous about mixing with traffic, it is therefore essential to provide off-road facilities as well, especially where the demand or potential demand is known to exist, such as through residential areas, linking to town or major retail centres, etc.
  


Return to News Index