TWO.. Providing for cycling

Case study

Hybrid cycle lanes

These are a particularly important aspect of our proposals. They are much in evidence in the Netherlands but extremely rare in the UK. We want to see experimental schemes here to demonstrate the benefits of hybrid cycle lanes, for widespread adoption by 2020.

They combine the best points of both on-road cycle lanes and off-road cycle tracks, whilst excluding the harmful aspects of both. They are on-road cycle lanes with some physical demarcation and provide the feeling of protection that less confident cyclists want. They’re 2-3 metres wide and uni-directional.

Cyclists have plenty of space in these hybrid cycle lanes, with room to overtake, and drivers are actively discouraged from using the cycle lane as parking because of the coloured surfacing and having to drive over a cobbled or textured divider.

Importantly, at side roads, priority is maintained. And because they are on-road, cyclists can be better seen by drivers, unlike a typical British-style pavement cycle track such as Milton Road and Barton Road.

This genuinely high-quality form of provision would be a huge inducement to people to get on their bikes. Cambridge East, Northstowe, and the other new developments would be a great place to see these implemented.