Chapter 2.3: Topic n. 1 – Cycling infrastructure / cyclepaths, cycleline, cycleroute, other

A goal is to create the optimal conditions for building of cycle routes, which will contribute to the overall traffic safety. A necessary step to be taken will be the amendment of several regulations related to the support of cycle transport, especially those dealing with construction of cycle paths.


Figure – Opava, the Czech Republic	Figure – Praha, the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic it should be designed upon the Technical guidelines TP 179 „Designing of cycling infrastructure“, or the Czech technical standard ČSN 73 61 10 dealing with cycling issues in a complementary way. However it is important to emphasise that construction of cycling infrastructure and facilities should not be autotelic. Cyclists need both – separate cycle paths and shared ways – which means bicycle-friendly routes offering a safe and comfortable bicycle ride.

Research project: Analysis of selected designs of cycling infrastructure and their impact on road traffic safety

The analysis of selected designs of cycling infrastructure and their impact on road traffic safety consists of three parts:

1. „Cycling transport; general principles for planning and designing, completed with best practices of cycling infrastructure“;

2. „Research of international case studies and best knowledge in the field of cycling transport“;

3. „Study of selected designs of cycling infrastructure and their impact on road traffic safety“.

The first chapter briefly presents the principles of designing the cycling infrastructure together with best practice examples. Altogether it has been prepared „the Best 68 examples“ on designing the cycling infrastructure. It is meant as a vademecum for politicians and officials to support implementation of cycling projects in their city / municipality.

The analysis includes also many references and descriptions of foreign resources contributing to the knowledge of cycling infrastructure designs. We have inspired mainly in European countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain and Norway. Beside that a database of professional literature and scientific magazines has been elaborated, including analysis of the contents, brief extracts and partial evaluation of the topics.

The last chapter brings results of the research focused on actual users of cycling infrastructure in several Czech towns. The users were surveyed on safety and preferences among more types of cycling infrastructure in urban areas. The report describes objectives, methods and results (and conclusions or recommendations implied) from the transport research focused on acquisition of the knowledge for optimising selected aspects in planning the cycling infrastructure and its elements. A specific attention was paid to those elements which do not have a legislative support in Czech terms yet (it applies for the cycling infrastructure designs at roundabouts, contra-flow cycle traffic in one-way streets, criteria for mixed use of cycling infrastructure with pedestrians, definition of technical conditions for cycle paths or cycle lanes in vicinity of public transport stops (Čárský 2005).

Methodology: “cycling infrastructure and its specific aspects”

The methodology has been prepared in 2007 – 2008. It presents principles and examples with the aim to deepen the knowledge on designing the cycling infrastructure based upon the updated technical norm - ČSN 73 61 10 and from the technical guidelines n. 179 „Designing the cycling infrastructure“. The thematic guidelines were structured as follows:

General design principles.
Planning of the cycling transport in rural areas (non-built-up areas).
Planning of the cycling infrastructure in the traffic (on roads, streets).
Segregated cycling infrastructure.
Specific examples of cycling infrastructure designs.

Each chapter contains a general part summarising the main information coming out of the previous research steps and from the technical guidelines n. 145 and the technical norm n. ČSN 736110. A follow-up part describing the best practice is the crucial one in the methodology.

Rails-to-Trails in the Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, there are more than 1.000 kms of rail tracks which are out of operation. The majority of them was abolished, some other tracks will experience the same destiny due to lack of financing for their maintenance. How could the non-functional rail tracks be re-used ? This question has been answered by the Partnership Foundation in the frame of its program of Greenways and by CDV in the frame of its research „Sustainable transport – chance for the future, phase 3.1.4. „Cycling in urban areas“ which is supported by the Czech Ministry of Transport (n. MDO 4499457501). The research findings clearly conclude the answer: „Why not to re-use abolished railtracks for cycle greenways?“


The Czech Republic, Cycle path „before“ and „after“ Cheb –Waldsassen the route n. 2004 (a part of Waldstein trail) constructed on abandoned rail track from Cheb to Wiesau