Workshop TR 3.3, Tuesday 20 June, 16.00 - 17.30
Integration or segregation
Tom Godefrooij, Fietsersbond (Dutch Cyclists' Union)

Segregation or Integration? The Dutch approach

The Dutch Design Manual for Bicycle-friendly Infrastructure “Sign up for the bike” provides the tools to designers for a proper design of infrastructure to meet the needs of cyclists. One of the important decisions to be taken is the question whether cyclists and motorists will be using the same carriageway or whether they will get there own space on the road. In this paper we discuss this issue.
James R. Sebastian, Transportation Planner Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Washington, DC USA  

Integrated and Segregated Facilities Worldwide

The debate over segregated and integrated facilities is not new to the field of bicycle planning or to Velomondial.  In 1995, the Falco Lecture Prize asked the question, "How much should cyclists be catered for separately from every other form of traveler?"  In three separate papers, the winning authors established the factors that influence the facility selection decision, yet there is still a lack of consensus on when to use segregated and integrated facilities.

The goal of this workshop session is twofold:
  1. Exchange experiences among planners on the latest developments in facility selection from around the world.
  2. Move toward the establishment of guidelines for facility selection.

Background

  1. There are well-documented advantages and disadvantages to both integrated and segregated bicycle facilities.
  2. Most cycle-friendly cities use a combination of both integrated and segregated facilities.
  3. The debate over facility selection can hinder progress in the development of bicycle facilities in general.
  4. There is room for consensus on when and where to build what types of facilities.
  5. Several factors influence the decision to select segregated or integrated facilities:

Type of user (level of experience)

Coherence (how well would the facility fit with existing facilities)
Frequency of intersections and driveways
Cost
Safety
Perceived Safety
Space (in the road right-of-way)
Political Will

Discussion Questions

  1. How do planners in different countries and regions make decisions about when to segregate cyclists?
  2. Is it possible to develop local, regional or national, or international guidelines on selecting integrated and segregated facilities?
  3. What factors should be used in setting the guidelines?