Designing a cycling facility

This part of the Cycling Network Guidance (CNG) provides users with best practice guidance, either directly or through links to appropriate sources for all stages of design, from concept stage through to detailed design. The figure below shows the broad design process including how it overlaps with the planning process ; at the concept/scheme design stage the design of cycle infrastructure needs to be considered to allow completion of the route or network planning.

Designing a cycle facility process map

The following topics are covered in the CNG for the design of facilities between intersections, and at intersections and crossings:

design guidance (for concept/scheme and detailed design)
peer review and road safety audit (all stages)
supporting infrastructure (such as way finding and cycle parking).

The design process should involve a multi-disciplinary approach where inputs, such as urban design and landscape architecture advice are sought early in the process to ensure a good outcome. The NZ Transport Agency has well developed guidance in this space, equally local authority design codes and guidelines would also apply, and should be reviewed in the planning, design and implementation of cycling (and walking) projects.

Bridging the Gap: NZ Transport Agency Urban Design, and Transport Agency Landscape Guidelines~~Bridging the Gap: NZ Transport Agency Urban Design, and NZTA Landscape Guidelines~~

What is urban design?

The New Zealand Urban Design Protocol provides a platform to make New Zealand towns and cities more successful through quality urban design. As a signatory to the Protocol the Transport Agency is working to ensure it plays its part in providing excellent outcomes for New Zealand and for its infrastructure projects. This requires projects to be developed and delivered utilising urban design best practice to achieve positive urban design outcomes. As well as the linkages to engineering-based design standards, projects and processes, the Cycling Network Guidance (CNG) considers urban design as vital to deliver quality outcomes. Bridging the Gap: NZ Transport Agency urban design guidelines includes the urban design requirements and process to achieve the Transport Agency’s desired urban design outcomes.