Among the various factors to be integrated in town planning - which will assist in creating a higher quality of life - are a good public transport (including trip interchanges) combined with a well designed cycle network located close to partially climate protected transit stops. The major reason for developing this hypothesis is the Dutch experience in which more than 60% of the Rail and Rapid Urban Transport passengers and often more than 40% of the visitors of shopping centres arrive at their destination by cycle. Preservation of this modal split both reduces the need for parking, and improves environmental quality. For bicycles, the absence of climate protection in the northern climate constitutes a weak part of the transportation chain. No missing links are acceptable in the competition between cars and bicycles on short trips or within dense built-up areas. Climatic protection and sheltered parts of routes also promote cycling for recreation and sport. The intent of this probe is to awaken an interest in climatic protection factors which bring the bicycle into competition with car use. New policy in bicycle network design can make a significant contributionto achieving long-term livability, which is a vital requirement at the present time.
Abstract