High quality bicycle routes designed specifically to reduce travel times for longer commutes — these are cycle highways.
Cycle highways are already in place in many cities across Europe and parts of Asia. Often between 5 and 20 km in total distance, cycle highways connect distant residential communities with major employment centres, schools, and public transit hubs, and are ideal in meeting — or helping to create — high volume demand.
When combined with the use of electric bicycles, cycle highways ultimately increase the distances people are willing to ride, and thus significantly contribute to a reduction in the use of motor vehicles.
Features of cycle highways often include:
Dedicated paths separating bicycles and pedestrians, away from motor vehicles
Two-way cycle lanes of at least 3 (and often 4) metres wide
Design speeds of up to 40 km/h on flat sections (higher on downhill portions)
Design requirements specifying maximum grades and minimum curve radii
Superior maintenance standards, including frequent snow, ice, and debris removal
Grade separated crossings of major roads and highways (overpasses and underpasses)
Few stops and traffic signals synchronized to average cycling speeds
Extensive lighting and effective wayfinding
Our recommendations to the BC Government include:
Develop guidelines and best practices for cycle highways, including establishing methods for measuring demand
Work with regional districts and municipalities to assess the need for and prioritization of cycle highways
Mandate a cyclability review when planning new construction and upgrades to provincial highways and bridges
Scale up annual active transportation funding in the provincial budget to provide for the development of cycle highways