Bike path
A cycle path is a track or road designated for use by cyclists and generally segregated from roads used by motor vehicles. It may be built for the purpose, or an existing path marked as a cycle path, and in some countries is shared with pedestrians.
Cycle paths are widely used in parts of Europe, especially in towns in the Netherlands. Most cycle paths are in urban areas; however, they can also be intended to link towns and cities, such as the National Cycle Network in Britain. Cycle paths are often found on previous transport features such as alongside canals or on the trackbed of disused railways.
They should not be confused with railroad rights-of-way will be lost to development if they are not converted to new uses.
- Cycle paths have proved to be very popular when they are built
Arguments against cycle paths include:
- The danger of collision with motor vehicles is highest at junctions. Most cycle paths have many junctions with roads, so the risk of collision may go up for users of cycle paths.
- Cycle paths are rarely as well-constructed or maintained as roads. They are often narrower than roads, have tighter corners, worse lighting, poorer surfaces, and more obstacles.
- As a result, the maximum safe speed on a cycle path is usually lower than on a road. So journeys on cycle paths take longer than on roads.
- Generally the start and end of any cyclist's journey is on the road system. So to use a cycle path often involves a diversion.
- The majority of injuries to cyclists are not caused by collisions with motor vehicles. So moving cyclists from well-constructed roads to poorly-constructed paths may result in fewer deaths but more injuries.
- Cyclists and pedestrians do not mix well.
- There is safety in numbers for cyclists on roads (studies suggest that the rate of injuries per cyclist is inversely proportional to the total number of cyclists).
- The introduction of segregated facilities may be a first step towards the banning of cycling on roads.
Many advocates now talk of recreational trails or community paths, recognizing that avid cyclists find cycle paths less than ideal, while they have become very popular for other uses, including walking, jogging, inline skating, wheelchair excursions, cross-country skiing as well as more casual cycling.
See also
