http://newcycling.org/event/cycling-infrastructure-event/

1. Sustrans Mini-Conference
Newcastle, 3 February 2015
Developments in UK Cycling Design Standards and Guidance

2. Overview
 Laws, Standards and Guidance
 What’s Old?
 What’s New?
 What’s Coming?
 What Difference Will It All Make?

3. Law, Standards and Guidance
 Law – Mandatory for authorities to comply
– Traffic Signs Regulations, Highways Act etc
 Standards – The design policies of an
organisation
– Authorities free to adopt which standards they
feel appropriate, but not illegal to deviate from
them when circumstances dictate
 Guidance – Good practice
– Can come from many sources, including
Government, often contradictory.

4. What’s Old?
 LTN 2/08
 Still good in parts…but
 Planning emphasis on
Hierarchy of Provision
 Cycle tracks = shared use
 On-road generally preferred
 Few innovations
 Out of date on Regulations (as
of March)

5. What’s Old?
 LTN 1/12
 Includes Segregated Cycle
tracks, but still “shared use”
 Negative on white lines
 Preference for on-road
provision maintained
 Modified HoP
 Hybrid (stepped) tracks
introduced

6. What’s New?

7. New Regulations – March 2015

9. Welsh Active Travel Act
● Passed by Welsh Assembly 2 October 2013
● Came into force 25 September 2014
● Supported by Delivery and Design Guidance
● World’s first?

10. Main Requirements of the Act
● Local authorities to map existing provision for Active Travel (the
‘Existing Routes Map’) and proposed future provision (the
‘Integrated Network Map’)
● Existing Routes Map in < 1 year,
Integrated Network Map in < 3 years
● Mapping to cover areas designated by Welsh Ministers.
● Local authorities must submit statement to which any routes shown
do not conform to standards specified in guidance given by
Ministers
● General duties on local and national Government to enhance
provision for Active Travel

12. So what’s Active Travel?
Active Travel Route: 2 (6)
In considering whether it is appropriate for a route to be regarded as an
active travel route, a local authority must take into account—
(a) whether the route facilitates the making by, or by any description
of, walkers and cyclists of active travel journeys, and
(b) whether the location, nature and condition of the route make it
suitable for safe use by, or by any description of, walkers and cyclists
for the making of such journeys,
and must have regard to guidance given by the Welsh Ministers.

13. So what’s an Active Travel Journey?
Active Travel Journey: 2 (7)
In this Act “active travel journey” means a journey made to or from a
workplace or educational establishment or in order to access health,
leisure or other services or facilities..
 So – Active Travel = walking and cycling
 Active Travel Route must facilitate safe use for Active Travel Journeys,
which are for everyday purposes – utility, not recreation

14. ● First Integrated Network Map to be produced within three years of
Act coming into force, ie 24 September 2017
● A 15 year plan for delivery
● Ranging from ‘shovel ready’ schemes to longer term intentions
● Completed schemes appear on updated Existing Routes Map
● After the first pair of maps, both will be produced on a 3-year rolling
cycle
Integrated Network Map

15. ● Welsh Ministers and Local Authorities must, when creating,
maintaining and improving highways, acquiring land etc (so far as
practicable) take reasonable steps to enhance the provision made
for walkers and cyclists.
● And in exercising functions under:
– Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (traffic regulations, parking etc)
– New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (street works)
– Traffic Management Act 2004 (network management)
● Cycle proofing! Walk Proofing!
General Duty to Enhance Provision

17. ● Continuous improvement – must be new and improved active
travel routes and related facilities every year.
● Local authorities have general duty to promote active travel and
securer new/improve routes
● Must report each year on performance in this duty
● Ministers to publish annual reports on number of active travel
journeys
General Duties

18. Guidance and Standards
● Delivery Guidance stipulates how Local Authorities will
meet the Act – how maps look, are consulted on
published etc,
● Design Guidance sets requirements for routes to
appear on the maps
● Both will be published by Welsh Ministers

20. Design Guidance - Content
 Introduction
 Legal and Policy Frameworks
 Consultation
 User Needs
 Network Planning
 Network Design
 Integration with Other Modes
 Related Facilities
 Creating and Improving Highways
 Construction, Maintenance and Management
 Monitoring and Evaluation
 Design Elements Details
 Audit Tools

21. User Needs
● Pedestrians and Cyclists, including people with disabilities
● 5 ‘Dutch’ criteria – routes for all groups should be
o Direct
o Coherent
o Safe
o Comfortable
o Attractive

22. Network Planning
 Structured around Dutch Design Manual for Bicycle Traffic
 Motor traffic management
 Mesh of routes
 Primary and secondary routes
 Plan for anticipated demand

24. CIHT planning guide

25. Network Design
 Big task!
 Pedestrian and Cycle Infrastructure
 Key criteria for design of networks/routes
 General path, track and lane widths
 Filtered permeability and speed management
 Junctions and crossings
 Etc etc!!!

27. Design Elements Details
Allowing for Innovation

32. • Audit tools – based on LCDS
• Cycling – max score 50, must achieve 35 to be on the maps

34.  Substantial revision of 2005
version
 Segregation depends on
context and street type, not
traffic flow.
 Route planning from network
analysis, not assessment of
potential demands
 Strong on audit tools
 Strong on innovation
 London-specific definitions
(Superhighway, Quietway)
LCDS 2014

40.  Each to their own…
CCAG Cities’ Guidance

42.  Long-standing commitment
 Overtaken by authorities’
standards?
Sustrans new manual

43. What’s Coming?

44.  In progress!
DMRB –
Interim Advice Note

45. Multiplicity of Design Guidance and Standards
 Not ideal
 Filling a vacuum left by central Government
 It’s where we are…
 How much does it matter?

48. Are Guidance and Standards a magic bullet?
● Funding
● Remaining regulatory difficulties
● Culture and practice
● Need for training
● Public attitudes
● Political will

49. Thanks
phil@philjonesassociates.co.uk
Twitter.com/Phil_PJA
0121 475 0234