Integrating cycle highways and buses

In the Netherlands there are various examples on integrating cycle highways with buses, in specific High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV). What is interesting is that these cycle highways are planned entirely parallel to the main bus routes.

The F261 cycling highway from Tilburg to Waalwijk is located parallel to a HOV bus route and regional main route A261. This is illustrated on the map below on which the red arrow represents the F261 cycling highway. As the bike, bus and car routes run parallel there will not be a high potential for complementary trips. Only two local bus lines are perpendicular to the cycle highwaytraject. However, those bus lines are connecting directly towards Tilburg train station or Waalwijk bus station and therefore a transfer to bike on the cycle highway is not logical. As the bus and car alternatives are very attractive, it will be tough competition for the bicycle to compete with these transport modes. If parameters on the destinations’ end would be adapted to discourage car use, for example by expensive and limited parking places, this would improve the bike’s potential on this route.

The F59 from ’s-Hertogenbosch to Waalwijk is currently still being developed. Remarkably, the cycling highway is planned simultaneaously to the upgrade of the motorway besides it. This raises the  question of whether the cycle highway can become successful without discouraging usage by car. Cycling towards ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the cycle highway does bring travellers to the main train station of the city.