4.0 Designing for the Bicycle

Any good design achieves its aims or delivers its objectives. In cycle design, the objective is to provide a stipulated Quality of Service for the bicycle mode. A good design will work in any weather conditions, in daylight and at night, and regardless of the numbers of a particular mode.

In cycle design in particular, a good design is right at every level:

• Strategic Level – the cycle network planning is embedded and consistent with all other plans, including the traffic management plan and the development plan
• Route Level– the cycle routes are properly aligned, are wide enough, offer the appropriate QoS, and provide the optimum balance between the various modes and road functions
• Detail Level – it is important that the details are correct; poor detailing (transitions, poles, entrances, etc.) has contributed to the poor reputation of many infrastructural schemes.