Route GuidesRoutes City GuidesCities Map Log in

‘Cycle streets’ are on the way

1 May 2014 London infrastructure
Find a better bike route. Try our map & route-planner »

Become a supporter

London and other cities could see back roads transformed into ‘cycle streets’ by new Government rules.

The obscurely-titled Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions, whose latest version was released today, holds out the prospect of back streets where bikes, not cars, have priority. It describes them as “links designed to restrict use by motor traffic and provide a superior level of service to cyclists”, explaining:

“This is a bold initiative, which is being considered by some of the Cycle Cities and London, possibly including a ban on overtaking on lightly trafficked roads where cycle flows are high. Subject to any scheme trial, this prohibition could be accompanied by an advisory speed limit of 15 mph.”

Transport for London has been strongly pushing for these streets, which would form part of its ‘Quietways’ network. Many of the proposed Quietways already have low levels of traffic, but the cycle streets would be closed to through traffic entirely, or heavily restricted. The London Borough of Camden is already considering this for Tavistock Place and Torrington Place in Bloomsbury, which form part of a busy east-west cycle route.

Assuming that the revised regulations are approved, TfL would be able to erect signs to trial these new cycle streets across London.

Sustrans’ new Cycle Design Handbook sets out what it believes comprises a cycle street, describing it as “a main cycle route open to motor traffic”. The charity says:

Campaigning group, the Cycle Embassy of Great Britain, says that minor roads can readily be made into cycle streets. It describes their implementation in the Netherlands, where they are known as fietsstraats:

“Cycle streets are roads on which bicycles have priority over cars. No overtaking is allowed. Typically they are found in residential areas, and are combined with filtered permeability to serve as through-routes for bicycles, but not for motor vehicles.”

In Germany, such a road is known as a ‘Fahrradstraße’, while a few US cities have ‘bike boulevards’. However, some cycle campaigners have cautioned against unthinkingly applying the Dutch model to Britain, pointing out that 

“simply relaying a street in red tarmac, and putting up signs, on a route carrying thousands of motor vehicles a day will not make a jot of difference to the quality of the cycling environment, when cycling levels are low, as they are in most places in Britain.”

Other improvements for cyclists in the new regulations include the go-ahead for several initiatives that have previously been trialled, such as bike-only traffic lights, ‘Trixi’ safety mirrors, and the ‘No Entry Except Cycles’ sign. Pedestrianised streets where bikes are permitted will now be signed as ‘Pedestrian & Cycle Zone’, reinforcing that cyclists are allowed to be there.

A new form of Zebra crossing will be permitted, with a cycle crossing beside the pedestrian stripes. More controversially, Advanced Stop Lines at junctions will no longer need a ‘feeder lane’, which may allow drivers to block the route.

Previous story: Urban jungle: Tesco ad celebrates bike commuting
Next story: Cycle tourists’ favourite ferry withdrawn