Going Dutch

Talk by David Arditti, 18 August 2011

http://www.camdencyclists.org.uk/newsitems/ccc/going-dutch

CROW: Dutch Design manual for bicycle traffic

Extracts on Cycling Embassy Website

From Shaun McDonald 

I'm just back from a lovely cycle trip to France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and have a few observations from the trip that may by of interest for improving your document further. I think that added some concrete examples/photos from where things are working elsewhere will add more weight to the document.

With regards to the cycle lanes, many of the cycle lanes were separated from motor vehicles, which made it feel a lot safer to cycle:

* by plastic poles: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6139927193/in/set-72157627529325675

* kerb stones with plastic poles: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140478592/in/set-72157627529325675/

* solid kerb over a bridge: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001836618/in/set-72157624857762933

When cycling across junctions, the cycle lane is kept intact, with those turning left across the flow of traffic having the opportunity to cross the junction and wait in front of the cars turning going straight over, so that you don't need to cross several lanes of traffic:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6139926657/in/set-72157627529325675/

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/4515687805/in/set-72157623717720331

Potentially take cyclists on to the pavement, with carries to keep it clear of pedestrians, for those turning left, without needing to do a scary move across multiple lanes:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6139922807/in/set-72157627529325675

Where the cycle path is closed for maintenance a diversion is created on quiet roads, with clear signage. In this case there was even blocks put out to reduce cars using the junction:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140472750/in/set-72157627529325675

Where a cycle lane moves from being on road to being a track on the pavement, I'd like a ban on the UK obsession of double ninety degree bends to hit lamp posts, and instead have something more akin to this lovely smooth transition:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6139924269/in/set-72157627529325675 yeah, it could be a even smooth with even less of a bend.

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/4516332172/

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/4516324714/in/set-72157623717720331

At traffic signals and many other junctions cyclists heading straight on have priority over those turning right. The motor vehicle just sit there patiently behind you waiting on you to clear the junction, with no aggression whatsoever:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140476884/in/set-72157627529325675

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001773704/in/set-72157624857762933

An example of a crap migration from cycle path to cycle lane:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5186024772/

At one point cycling through the Netherlands on a cycle path with a low hedgerow between myself and the road, I noticed the cars slowing to sit behind me. A few moments later the cycle path came to an end, at the start of the village and the cars just waited for myself and the other cyclist I was with and gave us priority, that really amazed me that there was no give way markings for the bikes, and the cars just automatically gave way to cyclists, making it a very pleasant journey.

The other guy I was with was stopping at times, which confused drivers, especially where cyclists had priority where you wouldn't normally expect it in Britain.

Cyclists having priority at side roads, especially where there are cycle paths:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140498638/in/set-72157627529325675

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6139949113/in/set-72157627529325675

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001229291/in/set-72157624857762933

And taken round the back of petrol stations/bus stops:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140502612/in/set-72157627529325675/

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001782084/in/set-72157624857762933

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001185103/in/set-72157624857762933

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001830516/in/set-72157624857762933

To avoid conflict with pedestrians there is a grass verge between the pedestrians and cyclists:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001175287/in/set-72157624857762933

At narrow points, such as bridges make sure that cyclists are not in the line of cars:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140479898/in/set-72157627529325675

Where practical, nice wide cycle paths under major roads, ideally minimising the downhill/uphill for cyclists:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001795636/in/set-72157624857762933

* http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-large-roundabout-for-drivers.html

Making one way streets two way for cyclists:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5001798400/in/set-72157624857762933

Signage specifically for cyclists, rather than motorists, is another important one.

On the promenade, there was a lane, with a different colour of brick. The pedestrians (barring some tourists) are much better at keep off that lane, which was very well used. The waiters/waitresses heading from the restaurants to the outdoor dining areas opposite done an impressive job of timing it to cross the cycle lane in the gaps. Cyclists also made minor adjustments to their speed to allow them to do so more effectively:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140486718/in/set-72157627529325675

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140488398/in/set-72157627529325675

Nice wide ramps to take your bike up and down beside steps:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6139944703/in/set-72157627529325675

The UK really needs to ban the use of barriers on cycle paths, they are a barrier to cycling, rather than a way of encouraging it. This was the biggest barriers that I came across on my trip on the other side of the channel:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6139938691/in/set-72157627529325675

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140492250/in/set-72157627529325675/

Here's a few from the UK:

* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ0W7cl1O_s

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5344495424/

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/4961269533/ If I have both panniers on they require me to lift my bike over.

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/5923564151/

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/4961868800/ which is still there from before last year's SkyRide, and is a trip hazard, and pinch point, and I don't know how to get it removed!

* http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=68493542@N00&q=barriers

Personally I'm not convinced by advance stop lanes, I'm coming to the thinking that in many places it's better to have the separate turn lane, so doing the junction in two manoeuvres would make in experienced cyclists feel safer.

And to round the mail off, the Belgians really know how to do a bar bike, with the beer on tap, rather than just bottled as with the London bar bikes:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/6140489230/in/set-72157627529325675

* http://www.pedibus.co.uk/

Full photo sets from my cycle trip to France/Belgium/Netherlands:

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/sets/72157627529325675/

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/sets/72157624857762933/

* http://www.flickr.com/photos/smsm1/sets/72157623717720331/