6.1 Principles
Poor drainage detailing
The following principles should always be considered at the outset of the design process and when preparing a maintenance strategy. This will ensure the functionality and safety of cycling facilities and will also minimise the potential for ongoing maintenance costs.
-
6.1.1 Principle of Sustainable Safety: Functionality
Proper maintenance is essential to the safe use of cycle facilities. Poor maintenance regimes that do not address defective surfaces, debris and unevenness etc will undermine the functionality and even the legibility of cycling facilities. This will reduce the actual and perceived safety levels.
-
6.1.2 Meeting Cyclist’s Needs
The role of maintenance is especially relevant in meeting the cyclist’s requirements for Road Safety, Attractiveness and Comfort.
Road Safety: Any reduction in safety, whether actual or perceived, will deter cyclists from using the facility. Attractiveness: A well maintained cycle facility will be attractive to all users, including beginners and casual recreational cyclist. Comfort: Poor quality cycling surfaces and the presence of cracks or unevenness will result in a reduced level of comfort and impact on the ability of cyclists to maintain momentum. -
6.1.3 Maintenance Orientated Design – Designing out the Problem
The need for maintenance and the ease of maintenance can be minimised at the design stage by careful attention to the following in particular:
- Selection of materials, including sub surface materials
- Drainage, including ponding
- Type of cycle facility
- Proximity to street furniture
- Proximity to vegetation
- Maintenance vehicles – adequate width and access points
-
6.1.4 Common Design Problems
Commonly encountered problems that can be avoided at the design and specification stage include wrongly orientated gully gratings, badly fitting manhole covers, ineffective drainage systems, incorrect or missing road markings, surface unevenness and surface failure.
For further detailed discussion on appropriate detailed design, see Getting the Details Right