Workshop TR 4.3, Wednesday 21 June, 14.00 - 15.30

Intersections: Requirements from Cyclists’ Point of View

Alistair Cumming, Manager Bicycle Programs, VicRoads A Framework for Bicycles at Intersections Bicycle planning in Australia has grown significantly in recent years. Off-road paths and on-road bicycle lanes are being constructed in many cities and towns. However, the on-road provision for cyclists at intersections appears to be an exception rather than the rule. It can be difficult to find space at intersections, and at times it appears there is reluctance by some designers to develop solutions for finding space. In other cases, the design does not always address the need to provide continuity for cyclists as they travel through the intersection. This paper provides a practical framework for understanding how to provide on-road facilities for cyclists at intersections. The framework allows the simplification of complex designs by applying the “model bicycle intersection” and its six elements. The options within the six elements have also been identified making it a step by step process. The model bicycle intersection is being successfully used in Victoria, Australia. VicRoads (the state road agency), in conjunction with a number of local Councils are using it to deliver an incremental approach to providing for cyclists at intersections. Those bicycle intersection elements, which can be provided within the current space balance, are being installed. Those elements for which there is currently no space will be addressed in the future when the space balance changes. This incremental approach is acknowledging that a partial solution is better than no solution, and that a partial solution is just a phase on the journey to a total solution.

Søren Underlien Jensen, Project Manager, Danish Road Directorate Cyclist Safety at Signalised Junctions The Danish Road Directorate has in co-operation with 5 Danish municipalities applied new layouts at signalised junctions. The objective was to improve cyclist safety. Before-and-after behavioural studies showed that the layouts probably improved the cyclist safety. The new layouts consist of truncated cycle tracks with narrow cycle lanes to the stop lines, “slalom” cycle tracks/lanes, staggered stop lines, marking of cycle crossings and profiled stripes. Before-and-after accident studies show that the number of bicycle accidents dropped at 7 out of 11 signalised junctions. A 30% drop in accidents between right-turning cars and straight-on riding cyclists occurred. On road sections with entry/exit for motorists, where the cycle track was truncated, the number of bicycle accidents increased significantly. The paper and presentation include an overview of studies about cyclist safety at signalised junctions. Based on these studies and practical experiences a presentation of best practice to design and operate signalised junctions with focus on cyclist safety is given.

Anne Eriksson Report workshop TR 4.3