Most Australian cities have a range of options for bikes, from off-road paths to wide separated lanes to narrow bluestone curbed painted part time lanes.
So what makes for the best riding experience?
If the goal is to encourage people to get on bikes, to swap their car travel for bike travel, then their needs should be reflected in the way we plan and build bike lanes.
Bike lanes should not just be safe, the people riding on them should feel safe. Riding a bike is an enjoyable experience, and you can lose sight of this if you're too busy scanning your surroundings in a bid to protect yourselves from danger!
It is important to understand the various elements that go into making a lane. We’ve broken these down into three essential components.
Position
The lane needs to be built in a safe place that removes riders from risks. For example, a bike lane parallel with parked cars and traffic is less desirable than a lane parallel to the footpath because there is a heightened risk of ‘dooring’. Badly positioned lanes are not just a safety risk for riders, if they are inconvenienced in reaching the infrastructure, they will be discouraged to use it.
Width
Bike lane width is also an important feature. The wider the lane, the more space bike riders have to move around, as well as the ability to pass riders. Unfortunately, in many of the busiest bike routes riders are often close passed by other riders making the infrastructure less desirable and intimidating for new riders.
Protection
It is a no-brainer that people riding bikes should be safely protected from traffic and stationary vehicles. A completely off-road bike path is fully protected from a road and is the most desirable. If the lane is adjacent to the road a physical separator like concrete or a garden bed which is impossible for a car to accidently drift through is preferred. Separation can also come in the form of upright plastic poles, concrete blocks or at its most basic, a strip of paint. In the example below, the bike lane has been separated by a mix of concrete blocks, painted chevrons and a curbed nature strip.
Of course, not all locations work for off-road paths or separated lanes. There may not be enough space available, or the environment may simply not be appropriate. 'Traffic-calming' measures that encourage lower speeds may be an appropriate alternative. These may include speed humps, chicanes and modal filters.
Other assistors and detractors
Naturally, factors such as the condition of the lane play a big part in how attractive it is for riders to use. Commuters will avoid sections of road such as Sydney Road, due to its poor road quality, and frequent potholes and drains which make for hazardous riding in the wet.
Other factors include the colour treatment of the lane. A green lane is more visible to drivers, and a clear indicator of the space allowed for riders. Likewise having a curb that riders can ride over provides an extra safety element.
The Bike Lane Report Card
Recently, Bicycle Network launched it’s ‘Bike Lane Report Card’ in Victoria, our way of rating on-road ‘midblock’ bike infrastructure.
Our tool grades bike lanes based on a scoring system that assesses the lane based on safety and comfortability.
You can use the map below to see how bike lanes across Victoria weigh up, or learn more about the Bike Lane Report Card here.
This article was made possible by the support of Bicycle Network's members who enable us to make bike riding better in Australia.