Providing cycle facilities has become a core component of master planning, stand-alone projects and travel demand management. Cycling is becoming an increasingly popular and viable mode choice as it can offer competitive travel times and lower costs when compared to other modes. Cycling also provides physical and mental health benefits for people riding, and environmental benefits for us all.

Finding solutions to incorporate cycling within existing infrastructure

Providing cycling facilities on existing roads is not without its challenges since road space has usually already been allocated. There are, however, a variety of appropriate and relevant solutions to create safer, more comfortable, direct, coherent and attractive routes for cyclists. Facilities include on and off road cycleways that are separated from traffic and pedestrians and pathways designed for shared use by cyclists and pedestrians. Other measures and tools to support cycling (what we like to call the “cycling fundamentals”) include:

• directional signage and wayfinding strategies
• cycle parking and end of trip facilities
• traffic calming on low volume streets
• education such as bike skills training
• improving access to bikes and e-bikes
• promotion, marketing and events
• bike hubs, bike burbs, and other community-led initiatives.

Planning ahead for cycling as part of a new development

Given the increasing focus on cycling as a viable means of travel, all new development and infrastructure should include consideration of cycle facilities as part of the transport network at an early stage.

Designing cycle facilities by blending best practice principles with local knowledge

We apply best practice principles together with our knowledge of the New Zealand environment to ensure that travel by bike is a safe and viable mode choice.