The provision of footpaths and cycleways enables and encourages people to walk and cycle around their neighbourhood. This facilitates social interaction, and casual contact between residents, and an active, safer road. Well considered design for pedestrians and cyclists can help make non-vehicle local trips viable, so in turn reduce energy consumption, pollution and traffic congestion and encourage healthy activity. Safe roads can also make it attractive for children to walk and cycle to school.
DS-19.1 Design Elements
The following shall be considered during the design process:
- All roads should be designed to cater for cyclists and pedestrians, including children, the elderly, the disabled, and parents with prams.
- Intersections should provide pedestrian crossing points.
- Separate cycle and pedestrian paths may be appropriate where an attractive longer route can be achieved without intersections - e.g. along an esplanade reserve.
- Footpaths take precedence over vehicle crossings - the gradient and material of the footpath should be uninterrupted.
- Walkway and cycleway links, between roads, should be at least 6m legal width. To ensure user safety, the link needs to be fully visible from both ends and, well lit Selection of planting needs to maintain sightlines and light levels.
Consider location of schools, sports uses, and other facilities to determine appropriate pedestrian /cycle connections.
Definitions in this section
Design
Footpath
Road