Shared cycle lane

[Ian Perry]

Debates rage around the world over the merits of naked streets, shared space, traffic calming, speed limits and bicycle lanes. Perhaps the Dutch have found the perfect solution.

On the street in the picture, the central white line has gone, but on both sides are 1.75m wide red cycle lanes, with a dotted white line separating them from the main carriageway. This dotted line allows vehicles to enter the cycle lane in order to pass larger vehicles from the opposite direction and thus share the space. Pedestrians can walk across the road or use the raised crossings located at regular intervals. The result: motorists are aware of cyclists’ priority and keep or pass at a safe distance. Vehicle speeds are low; most motorist stay well below the 50Km/hr limit.

[kevaquarian]

Good info - thanks. This is a way to go imo, as it would undoubtedly have the effect of evening up the space balance and increasing awareness of cyclists which in turn would ease the somewhat fraught relations between motorists and cyclists (at least in London this is sometimes the case). The tension, in part, comes I believe, from a notion that bikes and cars etc have to compete for space rather than share it. Cycling is on the increase in London as far as I can see, but there is still hardly a sense of equality in terms of space sharing imo. This is part of the problem. I drive and cycle in the City so I've seen this from both angles. There is no doubt from my experience and observations that when there is a decent cycle lane, cyclists AND drivers both relax more - knowing that each has their own space to occupy. It's only a small step from this to sharing....

Also, If there was an increased sense of equality of rights and space sharing, I believe a lot more people would be up for cycling too - those who are afraid of being on the roads as they see them at the moment - seemingly dominated by petrol and diesel vehicles..., with cycles having to 'borrow' space from other road users...