1.0 The Basics

This section covers the basic building blocks required for any cycling (or traffic) scheme from inception and planning through to route choice and appropriate type of facility.

The principles of Sustainable Safety underpin this entire manual. They provide a common sense baseline from which any design must start.

This section gives a quick reference to topics such as types of cycle facilities and appropriate cycle lane widths. It also gives non-cyclists an understanding of the basic needs of cyclists and describes what distinguishes a good and enjoyable cycle facility from a bad one.

It is strongly recommended that all users of this manual become familiar with these basics of cycling, and also that designers get out on a bicycle and get first hand experience of what they are designing for.