Lexicon Brand awareness – the extent to which potential users of a cycle highway are familiar with the qualities or identity of the cycle highway as a mobility product. The consumer's ability to recognise or recall a brand is central to purchasing decision-making. See also: exposure, readability, touchpoint, readability toolbox.
Crossing – a place at which a street or road can be crossed by pedestrians (pedestrian crossing) or cyclists (cycle crossing).
Cycle and pedestrian path – part of a road, where cyclists and pedestrians share the same space, but other road users (motorised vehicles, equestrians) are not allowed.
Cycle highway – a high-quality functional cycle route, backbone of a cycle network; connects cities and or suburbs, residential areas and major (work) places. See also: definition.
Cycle lane – part of carriageway dedicated to cyclists, separated from motorised traffic by horizontal markings.
Cycle path – infrastructure dedicated to cyclists, independent from road network or next to a road, but physically/structurally separated from the carriageway.
Cycle route – combines varying infrastructural (cycle paths, cycle lanes, cycle streets, greenways, traffic calming) and wayfinding solutions to facilitate getting from A to B for cyclists; can be functional, recreational, touristic or mix different purposes; the highest category of functional cycle routes is a cycle highway.
Cycle street – a street signed as such, where (some) cars are allowed, but predominantly used by bicycles; special rules might apply.
Decision point – the moment at which a cyclist who wants to follow a cycle route needs to take a wayfinding decision. Successful wayfinding occurs when the navigator can make correct navigation decisions that take him from his present location to a destination that fulfills his larger purpose. Examples of such decisions are whether to continue along the present route or to take another route (change of direction), what action to take at an intersection (crossings or confusion points), whether to stop and aquire information from the environment to confirm the present route.
Design speed – the speed that the geometry of the route allows to cycle safely. See also: design vs average speed.
Detour factor – length of the route divided by the distance as the crow flies, key parameter for measuring directness.
Directness – the quality of avoiding detours or delays.
EPAC – Electrically Power Assisted Cycle; EPACs include pedelecs, speed pedelecs and electric cargobikes; the power is provided to the motor as assistance only when pedalling, not on demand (as with e-scooters).
Exposure – can be achieved and improved by the integration of the cycle highway brand and identity in diverse stategic touchpoints. See also: readability, touchpoint.
Functional cycle route – cycle route serving daily journeys, e.g. commuting to work or school.
GHG – greenhouse gasses, e.g. carbon dioxide (CO2).
Greenway – a trail independent from the road network, shared between non-motorised modes of transport (pedestrians, cyclists, often also equestrians); greenways often follow rivers, canals or disused railroad lines.
Intersection, junction – place where two or more roads or street meet.
Land use plans - common instrument of spatial planning in many European countries, including settlements’ structure, protected areas, transport networks.
Mobility hubs – important points of integration of different modes of transport, e.g. trains, busses and cycle highways.
Network-identity – branding strategy in which you establish a more general identity (a name, a logo, central brand colour,...) for a network of routes or mobility solutions. See also: network-idenity and examples in the readability toolbox.
Pedelec – bicycle with pedalling assisted by an electric motor up to 250 W; the power to the motor is only provided when the cyclist is pedalling, and the speed is below 25 km/h. In most national legislations pedelecs are treated as regular bicycles.
Readability – the ability of a cycle route or a specific solution to be self-explaining, easy to find, use and remember. A cycle highway is ‘readable’ if a new user is capable to intuitively recognize and use the cycle highway with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. Well thought-out infrastructure and elaborated awareness raising elements focusing on identity and guidance offer the cyclist tools to help decision making before and during the journey (more about the two aspects of readability).
Readability tools – measures (f.i. best practices, strategies, design options) that help to improve the readability of a cycle highway. Browse the readability toolbox to learn more about the framework of ten playlists to organise the tools.
Recreational cycle route – serving short recreational trips (without overnight stay).
Road safety, safety – freedom from threat of being involved in a road accident.
Route-identity – branding strategy in which you establish a unique identity (a name, unique logo, colour,...) for one route. See also: network-identity and examples in the readability toolbox.
Sidewalk – part of the road dedicated for pedestrians.
Social safety – freedom from threat or worry of crime, hostility, aggression, harassment and other risks of harm other than road accidents.
Speed pedelec – as pedelec, but with higher power, and speed up to 45 km/h. Depending on national legislation and signage, they might be or not be allowed on dedicated cycle infrastructure.
SPT – Spatial Planning Tool (?)
Touchpoint – strategic points of contact or interaction between the cycle highway product and its customers or consumers. Touchpoints (f.i. along the infrastructure, online or in different types of communication) are the points where potentia users get in touch with the cycle highway brand. See: brand awareness, exposure, readability, readability toolbox.
Touristic cycle route – serving multi-day cycle trips (with at least one overnight stay outside the usual place of residence).
Travel speed – speed taking into account delays e.g. because of traffic lights or need to yield on junctions and crossings, usually lower from design speed.
VPT – Virtual Planning Tool (?)
Wayfinding – information systems that guide people through the physical environment. See also: readability and wayfinding.