Alternative routes for cyclists around pedestrian areas

Nine pedestrian areas where cycling is prohibited, and the alternative routes that cyclists use, are analysed in terms of the safety and convenience for cyclists. Three towns where signed routes have been provided to enable cyclists to avoid the pedestrian area are considered in greater detail, and the results of interviews with 717 cyclists are presented. Accident data are also presented. Most alternative routes studied involved high capacity roads and additional hazardous junctions, when compared to the pedestrian area. All the alternative routes involved additional distance and the majority required cyclists to dismount. Where signed routes with facilities were provided to enable cyclists to bypass the pedestrian area, cyclists generally found them to be convenient. Most cyclists said that directness and minimising delay were the main reasons for their choice of route. Design advice on the provision of alternative routes around pedestrian areas is provided. (A)