How Transitional Cycleways Improve Safety for Everyone

In the first blog of this three-part series, we introduced the Wellington Transitional Cycleways programme, which aims to rapidly expand the cycleway network in a matter of months rather than years. By filling critical gaps in the network, this initiative makes cycling a safer and more viable transport option.

While the primary goal of the programme is to provide dedicated cycling infrastructure, its benefits extend far beyond cyclists. The programme enhances safety and accessibility for all road users: pedestrians, public transport users, and motorists alike. Here’s how:

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety

Although transitional cycleways are primarily implemented within the carriageway, they contribute to pedestrian safety both directly and indirectly. These improvements include:

• Creating a protective buffer between footpaths and traffic lanes using cycle facilities, reducing the risk of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
• Improving visibility by rearrangement of parking near intersections and pedestrian crossings
• Enhancing pedestrian crossings with raised platforms, kerb buildouts, and refuge islands.
• Reducing vehicle speeds through implementation of lower speed limits and traffic calming measures such as speed humps and raised crossings.
• Enhancing accessibility by installing compliant tactile pavers at existing and new crossings to assist visually impaired pedestrians.

Supporting Public Transport Efficiency

Transitional cycleway corridors often overlap with bus routes, requiring careful design to ensure safe interactions between buses, cyclists, and passengers. To manage these interactions effectively, the following solutions have been designed where required:

• Shared bus and cycle lanes to accommodate both modes of transport safely where space is limited.
• Bus platforms at key stops, particularly those with longer dwell times (e.g., inbound stops, locations serving elderly passengers, or shopping centres).
• New bus shelters to enhance passenger comfort, encourage public transport use, and improve overall service levels.
• Reviewing and adjusting kerbside parking around bus stops to allow better entry and exit to the stop for bus drivers.
• Rationalising or relocating bus stops to improve service efficiency.
• Enhancing bus lanes by either introducing new lanes or extending operating hours to support public transport reliability.

Treatments for other motorised vehicles

Transitional cycleway projects include several measures to improve safety and potentially improve efficiency for road users using traffic lanes:

• Intersection upgrades which include improving sightlines, geometry and traffic light phasing at intersections
• Standardising lane widths throughout the corridor. Narrower lanes, combined with kerbside cycleways and separators, speed humps, and raised tables, help reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety.
• Parking management – Optimising parking layouts through rearrangement, relocation, or removal where necessary to improve road efficiency and safety.

Landscaping

Vegetation enhances the streetscape and adds to urban amenity. Where possible, existing greenery is preserved, and new plantings, primarily through planter boxes, are incorporated into transitional cycleway projects to improve aesthetics and functionality.

Abley offers end-to-end solutions for transitional cycleway projects, from planning, engagement and design for construction. Our expertise ensures that cycleways are seamlessly integrated into existing transport networks while enhancing safety and accessibility for all road users.     

If you are considering how to reallocate the limited road space in your transport network, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.