Width of a bidirectional cycle highway according to "Vademecum Fietsvoorzieningen" (Flanders). 
Design principles
Width of a bidirectional cycle highway according to "Vademecum Fietsvoorzieningen" (Flanders). 
For each of the requirements, we explain why it is important, how it affects user experience and route quality, what are the synergies and considerations in relation to other requirements, how it can be measured and evaluated. Whenever the requirements are quantifiable, a comparison of minimum, recommended and/or maximum values in different guidelines will be provided. We also link the criteria to solutions from the Infrastructure subchapter that can help to meet this particular requirement.
Good understanding of the requirements can help to adapt the ambitions to local context. For example, on an intercity route, leading mostly through rural areas, it will be relatively easy to avoid interruptions and high design speed might be important to unlock the potential of e-bikes. On the other hand, if you design a route through a densely populated city, you can expect higher volumes of cycle traffic and width will be of much more important. A certain level of ambition could have the consequence that you need to rethink (parts of) the route alignment, as it might not be feasible to meet the ambition on initially planned route.
Guidelines comparison
Comparison table
Design parameters for cycle highways. [2019]
Geometric design parameters for cycling infrastructure
The geometry of cycling infrastructure is a critical aspect of its safety and comfort. In this factsheet we look at the geometric design standards for cycling infrastructure adopted across 15 different European countries. [2022]
Learn more about CHIPS project
Cycle Highways Innovation for smarter People Transport and Spatial Planning
CHIPS will develop and promote cycle highways as an effective and cost efficient low carbon solution for commuting towards and from urban employment poles.
Project partners from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK will develop solutions that will help regions and mobility stakeholders to:
- Position cycle highways as a new mobility product
- Overcome physical and behavioural barriers that keep commuters from using cycle highways
- Maximize synergies between cycle highways and trains, buses and cars
- Upgrade cycle highways to key structuring elements in future spatial planning
- Monitor performance and assess impact
Plan Phase
A cycle highway facilitates citizens to move by bicycle from one place to another. It connects residential areas with business districts, city centers or transportation hubs. To determine the right location and make the right connection a calculation of the expected use is needed, taking into account the future developments to plan a future proof cycle highway.
Main objective: development of a virtual planning tool for potential cycle highways
Design Phase
The challenge is to design the best suitable cycle highway for that specific location. Therefor different criteria such as attractiveness, wayfinding, size and directness have to be taken into account.
Main objectives: a cycle highway assessment tool to evaluate the design and readability concepts in the (Virtual) Living Lab.
Sell Phase
Communication and campaigns will help to stimulate (new) cyclists to use the cycle highway. Commuters are the main target group. The engagement of employers is key to reach the commuters and create a modal shift from car to (e)-bike.
Main objectives: designing campaigns, development of service point and mobile HUBs.
Evaluate Phase
Final step is to monitor and evaluate the effects of the development. Are people using the new cycle infrastructure? By using GPS-data, information from counters and traffic lights relevant information about the use can be filtered.
Main objectives: monitoring and evaluation dashboard and a CO2 reduction calculator.