Cycle paths

Ideally cyclists would be provided with their own separate, traffic-free, facilities but lack of suitable space means that for some off road routes cyclists will need to share paths with pedestrians.

Shared use paths

• To encourage more people to cycle by providing safe routes.
• To increase safety for cyclists by avoiding use of heavily trafficked roads or potentially dangerous junctions
• To provide links to safe crossing points of major roads or connect minor road routes

Recognising  a shared use path

• Shared use paths will be clearly signed.
• In Buckinghamshire, most paths may also have a red surface.

If appropriate eg on busy footways, pedestrians and cyclists are segregated, usually by a raised white line

Safety

• Many people are worried that there will be accidents on these paths between pedestrians and cyclists.
• National research & local experience has shown that there have been very few reported accidents on shared use facilities.

Other facts about shared use paths:

• It is illegal to cycle on any footways or public footpaths unless they are signed for use by cyclists
• It is legal to cycle on bridleways
• At night cyclists must use lights on shared use paths

In many cases segregation of pedestrians/cyclists is not recommended for the following reasons:

1. Inadequate land available to provide sufficient width
2. Can be too restrictive particularly for pedestrians
3. Cyclists are less willing to give way to pedestrians on the cycle section

Creating shared use paths

• Contact the above office giving details of a suggested route
• The proposal would then receive consideration for viability of a scheme
• If funding is available and the request can be progressed then consultation would be carried out, which would include all interested parties and any affected local residents
• The results of the consultation would be reported to an appropriate council committee

Note, if the route being considered includes a public footpath, a more lengthy consultation procedure is involved as comments must be reported to the Secretary of State

Safety

A safety advice leaflet on the correct use of these facilities by both cyclists and pedestrians, is available from the Traffic Management Projects Team.

This covers topics such as the need for cyclists to: give way to other path users, warn others of their presence, beware of vehicles emerging from driveways