Contraflow cycling

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Introduction

This leaflet gives advice on the range of traffic environments and circumstances in which various options for permitting cycling in the contraflow direction in one-way streets may be appropriate.

The advice draws together guidance in existing publications from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and others. It is supplemented by the results of recent research undertaken by Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) on behalf of the DETR. This is reported fully in TRL Report 358.

Summary

European experience and the recent research from TRL indicates that the form of provision necessary for contraflow cycling may vary, depending on the traffic environment and street layout into which the scheme is being introduced. Where speeds and flows are low and the street layout conducive, contraflow cycling may be introduced safely with less physical infrastructure than in other circumstances.

Background

One-way streets can often result in journeys by cycle becoming longer and more hazardous, with more junctions to negotiate. One effective means of addressing this situation may be to introduce arrangements that allow cyclists to travel in both directions in a one-way street.

Experience in some other European countries has resulted in a wider range of options for providing for contraflow cycling than have been implemented in the UK to date. Experience in Germany is especially relevant, where cycling has increased in recent years from relatively low levels, and motorists have learnt to anticipate and accommodate increased numbers of cyclists in new circumstances.

North Street, Chichester

North Street, Chichester

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