UK and Europe · Public discussion

Getting myself involved: street planning pointers and patterns?

Andrew Chadwick · 2004-02-07T18:35:15+00:00

I've volunteered to help with the design days for the Cowley Road Matters project in East Oxford[1], as I use that road a great deal. I've never done this kind of thing before, so does anyone have any general guidelines and pointers that they could share? The organisers of this process have thrown up a public wall of information and are distributing packs describing a fairly modern arsenal of street furniture and redesign tricks which could be used. So far they are at least -considering- making the stretch a 20mph zone[2], and don't seem madly keen on shared use cycle tracks. Are there any good sites out there that suggest patterns and guidelines for planning these kinds of streets? Cowley road isn't exactly a residential area, so Home Zones and Green Streets aren't really that applicable here. I'd also like to suggest a good source for Sheffield Stands to them. The people I asked seemed quite receptive to the suggestion that wheelbender cycle parking is quite a bad idea. By the way, the major problems for cyclists on the Cowley Road are related to the general busyness of the street, road narrowings and parking. All the independent shops along it are accessible only from the front, and past planners seem to have really latched onto the idea that traffic islands are a great idea. [1] http://www.eastoxford.com/beta/eoaltd/Cowley_Road/Cowley_index.htm [2] avg. measured speed is roughly 17.5mph during daytime hours -- Andrew Chadwick You never hear a Cricket crowd chanting "who's the [censored] in the hat?"

Started by Andrew Chadwick · 7 February 2004 · Last activity 14 February 2004 · 9 posts · 780 views

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01 / Original postGetting myself involved: street planning pointers and patterns?Andrew Chadwick · 7 Feb 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–9Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #9Peter Owens · 14 Feb 2004

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Original section: UK and Europe
Published: 7 February 2004
Last activity: 14 February 2004
Original author: Andrew Chadwick
Posts: 9
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 780
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Zone 2 training

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Original post
Andrew Chadwick
Archived post

7 February 2004, 18:35 UTC #1

I've volunteered to help with the design days for the Cowley Road Matters project in East Oxford[1],
as I use that road a great deal. I've never done this kind of thing before, so does anyone have any
general guidelines and pointers that they could share?
The organisers of this process have thrown up a public wall of information and are distributing
packs describing a fairly modern arsenal of street furniture and redesign tricks which could be
used. So far they are at least -considering- making the stretch a 20mph zone[2], and don't seem
madly keen on shared use cycle tracks.
Are there any good sites out there that suggest patterns and guidelines for planning these kinds of
streets? Cowley road isn't exactly a residential area, so Home Zones and Green Streets aren't
really that applicable here. I'd also like to suggest a good source for Sheffield Stands to them.
The people I asked seemed quite receptive to the suggestion that wheelbender cycle parking is quite
a bad idea.
By the way, the major problems for cyclists on the Cowley Road are related to the general busyness
of the street, road narrowings and parking. All the independent shops along it are accessible only
from the front, and past planners seem to have really latched onto the idea that traffic islands are
a great idea.
[1] eastoxford.comCowley index.htm
[2] avg. measured speed is roughly 17.5mph during daytime hours
--
Andrew Chadwick You never hear a Cricket crowd chanting "who's the [censored] in the hat?"

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Tony Raven
Archived post

7 February 2004, 20:34 UTC #2

Andrew Chadwick said:
I've volunteered to help with the design days for the Cowley Road Matters project in East
Oxford[1], as I use that road a great deal. I've never done this kind of thing before, so does
anyone have any general guidelines and pointers that they could share?
How about getting in touch with Cyclox and adding your effort to theirs rather than splintering it?
cyclox.orgindex.htm
Tony

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Anonymous
Archived post

7 February 2004, 21:34 UTC #3

You could order a (free) copy of English Partnerships Urban Design Compendium. It has loads of
information regarding the designing of urban areas including some to do with cycling. I'm doing an
MSc in Urban Regeneration at them moment and find it very useful.
There is an order form at
englishpartnerships.co.ukpublications form.asp
May take a week or two for delivery but can't grumble at free.
Cheers
Andy
"Andrew Chadwick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:slrnc2a89t.9pm.and-x-
[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I've volunteered to help with the design days for the Cowley Road Matters project in East
Oxford[1], as I use that road a great deal. I've never done this kind of thing before, so does
anyone have any general guidelines and pointers that they could share?
The organisers of this process have thrown up a public wall of information and are distributing
packs describing a fairly modern arsenal of street furniture and redesign tricks which could be
used. So far they are at least -considering- making the stretch a 20mph zone[2],

and
Quoted message said:
don't seem madly keen on shared use cycle tracks.
Are there any good sites out there that suggest patterns and guidelines for planning these kinds
of streets? Cowley road isn't exactly a residential area, so Home Zones and Green Streets aren't
really that applicable here. I'd also like to suggest a good source for Sheffield Stands to them.
The people I asked seemed quite receptive to the suggestion that wheelbender cycle parking is
quite a bad idea.
By the way, the major problems for cyclists on the Cowley Road are related to the general busyness
of the street, road narrowings and parking. All the independent shops along it are accessible only
from the front, and past planners seem to have really latched onto the idea that traffic islands
are a great idea.
[1] eastoxford.comCowley index.htm
[2] avg. measured speed is roughly 17.5mph during daytime hours
--
Andrew Chadwick You never hear a Cricket crowd chanting "who's the [censored] in the hat?"

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Just Zis Guy
Archived post

7 February 2004, 21:34 UTC #4

On Sat, 7 Feb 2004 17:32:45 +0000, Andrew Chadwick
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
<[email hidden]>:
Quoted message said:
I've volunteered to help with the design days for the Cowley Road Matters project in East
Oxford[1], as I use that road a great deal. I've never done this kind of thing before, so does
anyone have any general guidelines and pointers that they could share?
You could call Tony Russell (details here <url:http://www.ctc.org.uk/working/regional.aspx>😉 - he is
a Good Man.
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.uk

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Simon Brooke
Archived post

7 February 2004, 23:34 UTC #5

Andrew Chadwick said:
I've volunteered to help with the design days for the Cowley Road Matters project in East
Oxford[1], as I use that road a great deal. I've never done this kind of thing before, so does
anyone have any general guidelines and pointers that they could share?
The organisers of this process have thrown up a public wall of information and are distributing
packs describing a fairly modern arsenal of street furniture and redesign tricks which could be
used. So far they are at least -considering- making the stretch a 20mph zone[2], and don't seem
madly keen on shared use cycle tracks.
Good to both of those things.
Quoted message said:
Are there any good sites out there that suggest patterns and guidelines for planning these kinds
of streets? Cowley road isn't exactly a residential area, so Home Zones and Green Streets aren't
really that applicable here.
Basically, avoid having cycle lanes at all if possible, but if you have to have them make sure that
it is absolutely forbidden to park in them at all times - cyclists popping out round parked cars are
at horrendous risk - and that they are sufficiently wide. Where a bus lane is also a cycle lane is
probably fine, but where you have 'cycle' lanes under 1500mm wide they're lethal. Cars will pass way
too close.
--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simon
-- mens vacua in medio vacuo --

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-Lsqnot Respond
Archived post

8 February 2004, 00:35 UTC #6

Tony Raven said:
Andrew Chadwick said:
I've volunteered to help with the design days for the Cowley Road Matters project in East
Oxford[1], as I use that road a great deal. I've never done this kind of thing before, so does
anyone have any general guidelines and pointers that they could share?
How about getting in touch with Cyclox and adding your effort to theirs rather than splintering it?
cyclox.orgindex.htm
Tony
I'd say the contrary. Good idea to be in touch with local cycling groups to discuss ideas but even
better to be seen as an independant joe public who just happens to be a cyclist.

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David Hansen
Archived post

8 February 2004, 16:33 UTC #7

On Sat, 7 Feb 2004 17:32:45 +0000 someone who may be Andrew Chadwick
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
Are there any good sites out there that suggest patterns and guidelines for planning these kinds of
streets? Cowley road isn't exactly a residential area, so Home Zones and Green Streets aren't
really that applicable here.
What you need is to look at what is sometimes called main road traffic calming. Transport 2000 can
sell you several reports on the subject.
Quoted message said:
I'd also like to suggest a good source for Sheffield Stands to them.
Google will call up many manufacturers.
--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

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Andrew Chadwick
Archived post

8 February 2004, 21:35 UTC #8

Andy Laycock said:
You could order a (free) copy of English Partnerships Urban Design Compendium. [...]
May take a week or two for delivery but can't grumble at free.
Just done so, and thanks for the link.
--
Andrew Chadwick You never hear a Cricket crowd chanting "who's the [censored] in the hat?"

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Peter Owens
Archived post

14 February 2004, 02:16 UTC #9

"Andrew Chadwick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I've volunteered to help with the design days for the Cowley Road Matters project in East
Oxford[1], as I use that road a great deal. I've never done this kind of thing before, so does
anyone have any general guidelines and pointers that they could share?
If you use the road a lot you should be aware of the problems that most need solving. Your main
concern should be ensuring that they don't do anything daft such as substandard cycle facilities.
A good source of ideas is "Cycle Friendly Infrastructure".
Quoted message said:
The organisers of this process have thrown up a public wall of information and are distributing
packs describing a fairly modern arsenal of street furniture and redesign tricks which could be
used. So far they are at least -considering- making the stretch a 20mph zone[2],

and
Quoted message said:
don't seem madly keen on shared use cycle tracks.
Good and good.
Quoted message said:
Are there any good sites out there that suggest patterns and guidelines for planning these kinds
of streets? Cowley road isn't exactly a residential area, so Home Zones and Green Streets aren't
really that applicable here. I'd also like to suggest a good source for Sheffield Stands to them.
The people I asked seemed quite receptive to the suggestion that wheelbender cycle parking is
quite a bad idea.
Make sure they follow the instructions on spacing. Ive seen a number installed that are effectively
useless because they go right up to a wall.
Quoted message said:
By the way, the major problems for cyclists on the Cowley Road are related to the general busyness
of the street, road narrowings and parking.
In that case you want to avoid an cycle 'facilities' of any sort.
If they do put cycle lanes in they need to be at least 2m wide and well to the right of any
parked cars.
Look for things such as managed parking, with a hatched area to keep cyclists away from the door
zone. Wide traffic lanes, central hatching
Quoted message said:
All the independent shops along it are accessible only from the front, and past planners seem to
have really latched onto the idea that traffic islands are a great idea.
Then that should probably be your first target.
The key with refuge islands is to ensure that the traffic lane is wide enough to overtake a cyclist
- it needs to be at least 4.5m. If they cannot make the gap that wide then it should be very narrow
(less than 3m) so it is obvious that there isn't space. Anything in between is bad news for cyclists
as there isn't enough space, but some drivers will attempt to squeeze past.

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