Enhancing Cycling Infrastructure for Sustainable Urban Transport

1. Sustainable Land Transport Conference 21-24 November 2004 What will really make a difference for cycling? Presentation by Jane Dawson Cycling Advocates’ Network

2. The possibilities are exciting ... • Significant changes in the transport agencies • NZ Transport Strategy • Arrival of Land Transport NZ • Other government policies are being developed • NZ Health Strategy • Climate change response • Emphasis on ‘joined-up’ policy & initiatives

3. … but little change is detectable • Change is happening at a ‘high’ level • Changes in emphasis not translating to visible changes • Difficult to build support for changes when they remain theoretical

4. What would make a real difference? • Asked for response from both cyclists and non-cyclists • “What would make the difference for you?” • “If the transport fairy granted you 3 wishes, what would they be?”

5. Responses • Passionate • Good range of suggestions • Particular problems, but can be categorised • Reasonable quests, often easy to address

6. Issues not dealt with • How to cater for cycling • Why cycling should be encouraged

7. Categorising responses • Typical categories • Match more rigorous research • Could be used by official agencies for quick information-gathering

8. What is a ‘cycle-friendly environment’? • “Easy as!” • No barriers, no excuses • “No Worries” • Feel safe, comfortable • “Way to go!” • Awareness, mainstreaming solutions • Support services • Give incentives, encouragement

9. Different cyclists, different needs • Regular cyclists • Assertive • Looking for a pleasant trip • Occasional cyclists • Street-wise • Full protection • Fluid categories

10. Main requests • Supportive infrastructure • Reduced level of intimidation • Awareness campaigns; acknowledge existence of cyclists • Legislative framework to promote needs of cyclists • Incentive programmes • Good integration with public transport

11. Quick & easy - do now! (1) • Audit all projects for cycle-friendliness

12. Quick & easy - do now! (1) • Audit all projects for cycle-friendliness

13. Quick & easy - do now! (2) • Advance Stop Lines & waiting boxes

14. Quick & easy - do now! (3) • Cycle detection at traffic signals

15. Quick & easy - do now! (4) • Restore surfaces after road works • If not possible immediately, protect the site • Potentially lethal at night

16. Quick & easy - do now! (5) • Sweeping & maintenance: on-road

17. Quick & easy - do now! (6) • Lighting & maintenance off-road

18. Quick & easy - do now! (7) • Signage & maps

19. Quick & easy - do now! (8) • ‘Share the Road’ promotions, education

20. Quick & easy - do now! (9) • Parking enforcement, education

21. Quick & easy - do now! (10) • Road Code, driver education

22. Quick & easy - do now! (11) • Cycle-Friendly Employers • www.sparc.govt.nz • Bike To Work Days • www.bikewise.co.nz

23. Quick & easy - do now! (12) • Good quality cycle parking

24. Will take longer, but start now (1) • Reduce traffic speeds • Benefits all road users • School zones

25. Will take longer, but start now (2) • Good quality surfaces

26. Will take longer, but start now (3) • ‘Safe Routes to School’ programmes

27. Will take longer, but start now (4) • Minimum passing clearance • As enforceable as many other rules • Useful ‘rule of thumb’ for drivers

28. Will take longer, but start now (5) • Allow bike racks on buses

29. Fundamental issue, shows serious intent (1) • Clear implementation plans for NZTS • NWCS monitoring • A draft is better than a blank

30. Fundamental issue, shows serious intent (2) • Promote good facility design • Train designers & decision-makers • Ensure standards & guidelines are set and used • Monitoring of compliance

31. Fundamental issue, shows serious intent (3) • Legal framework to put responsibility on those creating risks to others • Minimum lateral passing distance • Ban window tinting

32. Make eye contact?

33. Fundamental issue, shows serious intent (3) • Legal framework to put responsibility on those creating risks to others • Minimum lateral passing distance • Ban window tinting • Put onus of proof on drivers

34. Fundamental issue, shows serious intent (4) • Acceptance of cyclist priority at key locations, for safety & convenience

35. Fundamental issue, shows serious intent (5) • Promotion of cycling • Show that it is possible • Promote the benefits • Secure funding streams for activities • Inter-disciplinary collaboration • Social marketing is a specific skill

36. Fundamental issue, shows serious intent (6) • Improve response to reported crashes & near-misses • Police priorities better aligned to NZTS • Recognise under-reporting problem • Develop case law

37. Fundamental issue, shows serious intent (7) • Encourage private organisations to support cycling • Make contestable funding available for facilities and programmes • Local authority requirements to provide cycle parking

38. Plan to do - build into work programmes (1) • Cycle lanes and paths • People want them • Must connect to something • Social safety addressed • Promotional role

39. Plan to do - build into work programmes (2) • Small cycle facilities • Access through road closures • Contra-flow lanes • Kerb-protected waiting bays • Crossing points

40. Plan to do - build into work programmes (3) • Eliminate identified hazards • Angle parking

41. Plan to do - build into work programmes (3) • Eliminate identified hazards • Angle parking • Pinch points • Kerb build-outs • Parking at key points • Badly positioned & maintained drain gratings • Roundabouts, unless 20 km/hr design speed • Service covers • ‘Free’ left turns

42. Plan to do - build into work programmes (4) • Low-speed traffic zones • Nice environment for cycling in can be all that’s needed • Non-cycling benefits • Reduced crashes • Attractive to shoppers

43. Plan to do - build into work programmes (5) • Improved access to public transport • Trains • Provide space on board • Free for bikes • Sign the access points • Buses • Good routes for cycling to stations • Secure cycle storage at stations & stops

44. Keep up the momentum • Cyclists see strategies being developed • Many local authorities • National strategy imminent • No change in their daily journey • Same hazards, same attitudes • Even small improvements can make a big psychological difference

45. Recommendations • Ask local cyclists what would make a difference to their trip • Use a Cycling Strategy to programme the bigger projects • Just do it for the smaller items: • don’t waste time, energy, goodwill haggling • cheaper to do them as standard practice

46. Sustainable Land Transport Conference 21-24 November 2004 What will really make a difference for cycling? Presentation by Jane Dawson Cycling Advocates’ Network