In order to retain the bicycle’s rightful position within the traffic system and, where possible, to strengthen it, a bicycle-friendly infrastructure is needed. The new CROW-record 25 entitled ‘Design manual for bicycle traffic’ describes the steps required to achieve such an infrastructure. It is a revision of record 10 ‘Sign up for the bike’.

‘Sign up for the bike’ is thirteen years old and has now been replaced by CROW-record 25 ‘Design manual for bicycle traffic’, in which many new subjects appear. Sustainable Traffic Safety has been implemented with, among other things, ‘right of way for cyclists from the right’ and ‘mopeds on the carriageway’, and the classification of roads into categories of local access roads, district access roads and trunk roads. The structure has become much clearer through the addition of features pages to every chapter. In short: a complete metamorphosis that will allow the road designer to better cater for the design of a bicycle‑friendly infrastructure.

A bicycle-friendly infrastructure is one that allows direct and comfortable cycling in a safe and attractive traffic environment. Only then is it possible to compete with the car. High quality bicycle infrastructures lead to a larger share of bicycles in the modal split. This design manual describes the steps required to achieve such an infrastructure from the policy plan to promote cycling to the physical implementation of a bicycle-friendly infrastructure. Bicycle infrastructure comprises all the technical provisions intended for cyclists.

A recurrent theme runs throughout the design manual as an assignment for the designer: immerse yourself in the idea that the cyclist is the future user of the design; give form to the objectives; balance functionality, form and use. This is a creative challenge demanding more than just the use of templates; the process compels the designer to consider and formulate the consequences of choices in his design.

Summary

1 Planning bicycle facilities

1.1 The role of the bicycle

1.2 Bicycle-friendly infrastructure

1.3 Integral design

1.4 A plan as the basis

2 Functional design

2.1 The cyclist as a design parameter

2.2 Main requirements for a bicycle-friendly infrastructure

2.3 Function, form and use

2.4 The bicycle and sustainable safety

3 Basic information

3.1 Bicycle dimensions

3.2 Dimensions of bicycle parking facilities

3.3 Speed, design speed, accelerating and braking

3.4 Stability, zig-zagging and the section of free space

3.5 Curves and visibility

3.6 Inclines

3.7 Weekly and daily patterns of bicycle use

4 Networks and routes

4.1 The basis of any design

4.2 Requirements for a network

4.2.1 Cohesion

4.2.2 Directness

4.2.3 Safety

4.2.4 Other main requirements

4.3 Utilitarian cycle network

4.3.1 Traffic models

4.3.2 Adapted grid method

4.4 Cycle routes and main cycle routes

4.4.1 Levels of quality

4.4.2 Criteria for designating main and other cycle routes

4.5 Recreational cycle network

4.5.1 Cycling as a form of recreation

4.5.2 Route types

4.5.3 Additional network requirements

4.6 Integration of networks

4.6.1 Cross-linking cycle networks

4.6.2 Confrontation with other means of transport

4.6.3 Removing barriers

5 Road sections

5.1 Function, form and use

5.2 Requirements for a road section

5.2.1 Directness

5.2.2 Safety

5.2.3 Comfort

5.2.4 Attractiveness

5.3 Solitary cycle track, cycle track and cycle and moped track

5.4 Bicycles and motorised traffic

5.4.1 Inside the built-up area

5.4.2 Outside the built-up area

5.5 Bicycles and public transport

5.5.1 Bicycles and buses  

5.5.2 Bicycles and tram/light rail

5.6 Bicycles and mopeds

5.7 Bicycles and pedestrians

5.7.1 Shopping streets and pedestrian precincts

5.7.2 Soft separation between cyclists and pedestrians?

5.8 Bicycles and ‘special’ road users

6 Intersections

6.1 Function, form and use

6.2 Requirements for an intersection

6.2.1 Directness

6.2.2 Safety

6.2.3 Comfort

6.3 Intersections according to road type

6.3.1 Estate access road – estate access road intersection

6.3.2 District access road – estate access road intersection

6.3.3 District access road – district access road intersection

6.3.4 Estate access road – solitary cycle track intersection

6.3.5 District access road – solitary cycle track intersection

6.3.6 Solitary cycle track – solitary cycle track intersection

6.3.7 Public transport carriageway – solitary cycle track intersection

7 Design, maintenance and furnishings

7.1 Road surfacing and paving

7.1.1 User requirements

7.1.2 Types of paving

7.1.3 Choice of paving type

7.1.4 Aesthetic aspects

7.1.5 Paving colour

7.1.6 Paving transitions

7.1.7 Marking material

7.2 Green and verges

7.3 Lighting

7.3.1 Lighting by function

7.3.2 Basic premises

7.4 Signposting

7.5 Social safety

7.6 Other facilities

7.6.1 Shelters

7.6.2 Places to rest

7.6.3 Service at petrol stations

7.6.4 Small-scale road furniture

8 Bicycle parking

8.1 Why a bicycle parking policy?

8.2 Analysis of the number of bicycle parking facilities required

8.2.1 City centres and station areas

8.2.2 Older residential areas

8.2.3 New housing

8.2.4 Companies and institutes

8.2.5 Public transport stops

8.3 Bicycle parking systems and bicycle storage facilities

8.3.1 Bicycle parking systems

8.3.2 Bicycle storage facilities

9 Evaluation and management

9.1 Testing and evaluating cycle connections

9.1.1 Evaluation of a network

9.1.2 Route testing

9.1.3 Analysis of specific bottlenecks

9.2 Inspecting the paving

9.3 Measures relating to road works

9.4 Ice and snow: prevention and clearing

9.5 Management and enforcement of bicycle parking facilities

Bibliography