An experimental 6 km cycle route running from the centre of Peterborough to an outer residential area was opened in July 1977 and monitored by TRRL until October 1978. Special facilities provided for cyclists include with-flow and contra-flow cycle lanes, cycle phases on traffic signals, main road crossings for cycles controlled by traffic signals, paths shared by cyclists and pedestrians, and lengths of purpose built cycle track. Following the introduction of this cycle route, there was an increase in cycle flows along the roads served by the routes relative to a general decline in cycling elsewhere in the city over the period of the experiment. Almost everyone (cyclists, motorists, pedestrians, residents and traders) interviewed over a year of attitude surveys was in favour of retaining the cycle route. The special facilities for cyclists were popular with nearly all users and were used as they were intended to be. There were complaints from small minorities of users about all facilities. There were insufficient data on accidents involving cyclists to enable any conclusions to be drawn on the effect the experimental cycle route had on cyclists' safety. At the end of the experiment, the cycle route was retained as a permanent part of the traffic system in Peterborough. (Author/publisher)
Abstract