Quality Requirements for Cycling Infrastructure

Cycling facilities that meet a certain baseline quality are predictable and useful to cyclists. A consistent standard is also more self-explanatory and easier for other road users to understand, which helps to avoid conflicts and ensure safety for all. By contrast, low-quality cycling infrastructure is unlikely to bring the expected benefits; it will not be used, or it will be unsafe to use.  

This document gives the reader an overview of important aspects to take into account when designing and building cycling facilities. The scope is limited to quantifiable parameters and easily verifiable “checkboxes” that represent the common denominator of cycling infrastructure design across different countries. 

Guiding principles and Recommendations

Although there is currently no common agreement on cycling infrastructure criteria on the European level, the UNECE Group of Experts on cycling infrastructure module, which ECF is part of, has developed a guide for designating cycle route networks. This guide is largely aligned with the quality parameters described and summarised below. The geometry of cycling infrastructure is a critical aspect of its safety and comfort. Bicycles need to maintain a certain speed to keep their balance. They travel in curves and cannot change direction at straight angles. Sharp turns make it difficult for cyclists to stay on track or maintain stability, and difficult for other road users to predict the bicycle trajectory. This can lead to falls, “run-off-the-road” accidents and collisions between cyclists, other vehicles or pedestrians. Unsuitable geometry can also exclude some user groups, in particular those who need dedicated cycling infrastructure the most, such as elderly cyclists and parents with children.  

The document includes insights on the following topics:  

• User category and cycle route level of service 
• Selection of the type of infrastructure for mixed traffic  
• Linear infrastructure (width and distance to obstacles, surface quality, inclination, …) 
• Cycle crossings