NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Utility cycling

Utility cycling encompasses any cycling not done primarily for fitness, recreation such as cycle touring, or sport such as cycle racing, but simply as a means of transport. It is the most common type of cycling in the world. In the Chinese city of Beijing alone, there are an estimated four million bicycles in use (it has been estimated that in the early-1980s there were approximately 500 million cyclists in China).^[1]^[2] As of 2000, there were an estimated 80 million bicycles in Japan, accounting for 17% of commuter trips^[3]. Utility or "transportational" cycling generally involves travelling short and medium distances (several kilometres). It includes commuting, going to school, high school or college, making errands, and delivering goods or services. In cities, the bicycle courier is often a familiar feature, and freight bicycles are capable of competing with trucks and vans particularly where many small deliveries are required, especially in congested areas. Velotaxis can also provide a public transport service like buses and taxicabs. Image File history File links Bicycle-taxi-2. ... Image File history File links Bicycle-taxi-2. ... Boda-Boda (or bodaboda) - originally a bicycle taxi in East Africa (from English border-border). ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 450 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 Ã— 1333 pixel, file size: 136 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) eigenes Foto, aufgenommen 2006 in Cuxhaven www. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 450 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 Ã— 1333 pixel, file size: 136 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) eigenes Foto, aufgenommen 2006 in Cuxhaven www. ... Bremen, see Bremen (disambiguation). ... Police officer on a bicycle Cycling is a recreation, a sport and a means of transport across land. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For the 1914 Charlie Chaplin film, see Recreation (film). ... A type of touring bicycle Bicycle touring is a recreational activity, which involves touring and exploration or sightseeing with the use of a bicycle. ... Bicycle racing encompasses many forms in which bicycles are used for competition. ... Beijing (Chinese: åŒ—äº¬; pinyin: BÄ›ijÄ«ng; IPA: ; ), a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ... km redirects here. ... Bicycle commuting is the act of commuting to work or school by bicycle, a common form of utility cycling. ... Bicycle messengers (also known as cycle couriers) have carried packages by bicycle for more than a century, but it wasnt until the 1980s and 1990s that bicycle messengers became cultural icons. ... Traditional Dutch cargo tricycle Old-fashioned Dutch freight tricycle Modern long-wheelbase freight bicycle from Amsterdam Danish Long John freight bicycle Freight bicycles or Freight tricycles or cargo bikes are human powered vehicles designed and constructed specifically for transporting large loads. ... The driver of this DAF tractor with an auto-transport semi-trailer truck prepares to offload Å koda Octavia cars in Cardiff, Wales For other articles with similar names, see Lorry (disambiguation) and truck (disambiguation). ... A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people. ... Rickshaw in Delhi, 2005 Velotaxi (Germany), 2005 Asian Rickshaw, 2005 Cycles Maximus, UK A velotaxi, also known as a pedicab, cycle rickshaw or trishaw (from tricycle rickshaw), is a human-powered vehicle for hire, usually with one or two seats for carrying passengers in addition to the driver. ... Skytrain Bangkok. ... A Go North East bus parked in a lay-by in Tyne and Wear, England. ... Taxicab, short forms taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. ...

A cyclists' equipment and the bicycle

Utility bicycles have many standard features to enhance their usefulness and comfort. Chain-guards and mudguards, or fenders, protect clothes and moving parts from oil and spray. Kick stands help with parking. Front-mounted wicker or steel baskets for carrying goods are often used. Rear racks or carriers can be used to carry items such as school satchels. Panniers or special luggage racks (including waterproof packing bags) enable the transport of goods and are useful for shopping. Dutch utility bicycle - from Polish wikipedia Description: A Dutch utility bicycle (Pointer Corzano) Taken: 25/09/2004 Photographer: --Brosen Copyright status: Tagged PD on Polish page This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Dutch utility bicycle - from Polish wikipedia Description: A Dutch utility bicycle (Pointer Corzano) Taken: 25/09/2004 Photographer: --Brosen Copyright status: Tagged PD on Polish page This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1280x960, 347 KB) Summary Women switching to the bike Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1280x960, 347 KB) Summary Women switching to the bike Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1133 KB)RingstraÃŸe, Vienna, Austria, June 2005. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1133 KB)RingstraÃŸe, Vienna, Austria, June 2005. ... â€œWienâ€ redirects here. ... a Dutch utility bicycle A utility bicycle is one which is designed for a practical purpose, as opposed to sport bicycles which are designed for recreation and competition, such as touring bicycles, racing bicycles and mountain bicycles. ...

Parents sometimes add rear-mounted child seats and/or an auxiliary saddle fitted to the crossbar to transport children. Trailers of various types and load capacities may be towed to greatly increase cargo capacity. In many jurisdictions, bicycles must be fitted with a bell, reflectors, and, after dark, front and rear lights. A fluorescent or reflective vest or armbands can also be very useful for night-time journeys, although these are not an alternative to a legally compliant lighting system. Protective rain gear is often an essential part of the utility cyclists' wardrobe, especially in countries with high rainfall levels. Two-wheel truss-frame trailer Single-wheel trailer Two-wheel axle-less trailer Wooden bicycle trailer special trailer for bike-trekking - shock absorbed with long spring travel A bicycle trailer is a motorless wheeled frame with a hitch system designed for transporting cargo by bicycle. ... Bicycle lighting has two purposes: seeing and being seen. ... Fluorescence induced by exposure to ultraviolet light in vials containing various sized Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots. ... Retroreflectors are clearly visible in a pair of bicycle shoes. ... In meteorology, precipitation is any kind of water that falls from the sky as part of the weather. ...

Factors that influence levels of utility cycling

Many different factors combine to influence levels of utility cycling. In developing economies, a large amount of utility cycling may be seen simply because the bicycle is the most affordable form of vehicular transport available to many people. In richer countries, where people can have the choice of a mixture of transport types, a complex interplay of other factors influences the level of bicycle use. In developed countries cycling has to compete with, and work with, alternative transport modes: walking, public transport of various sorts and the usually dominant private car use. Thus cycling levels are not influenced just by the attractiveness of cycling alone, but also by what makes the competing modes more or less attractive. The Trikke is a Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) This article is about the means of transport. ...

In developed countries with high utility cycling levels, utility cyclists tend to undertake relatively short journeys. According to Irish 1996 Census data, over 55% of cycling workers travelled 3 miles (4.8 km) or less, 27% 5 miles (8 km) or less and only 17% travelled more than 5 miles in their daily commute. It can be argued that factors that directly influence trip length or journey time are among the most important in making cycling a competitive transport mode. Car ownership rates can also be influential. In New York City, more than half of all households do not own a car (the figure is even higher in Manhattan, over 75%), and walk/bicycle modes of travel account for 21% of all modes for trips in the city.^[4] The New York City Subway is one of the largest and busiest systems in the world. ...

Decisions taken by various levels of government, as well as local groups, residents' organisations and public- and private-sector employers, can all have an impact on the so-called "modal choice" or "modal split" in daily transport. In some cases various factors may be manipulated in a manner that deliberately seeks to encourage or discourage various transport modes, including cycling.

Urban, city, or town planning, deals with design of the built environment from the municipal and metropolitan perspective. ...

Town planning

Trip length and journey times are argued to be key factors affecting cycle use. Therefore, town planning may have a key impact in deciding whether key destinations, schools, shops, colleges, health clinics, public transport interchanges remain within a reasonable cycling distance of the areas where people live. It is argued that the urban form can influence these issues, compact and circular settlement patterns tending to promote cycling. Alternatively, the low-density, non-circular (i.e., linear) settlement patterns characteristic of urban sprawl tends to discourage cycling. In 1990, the Dutch adopted the "ABC" guidelines, specifically limiting developments that are major attractants to locations that are readily accessible by non-car users.^[5] Urban, city, or town planning, deals with design of the built environment from the municipal and metropolitan perspective. ... Map of world population density as of 1994. ... Urban sprawl (also: suburban sprawl) is the spreading out of a city and its suburbs over rural land at the fringe of an urban area. ...

ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1569 KB) Summary Tract housing near Union, Kentucky from the air. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1569 KB) Summary Tract housing near Union, Kentucky from the air. ...

Cycling infrastructure

The cycling infrastructure comprises all the public ways that are available to cyclists traveling from one destination to another. This includes the same network of public roads that is used by drivers of motor vehicles minus those roads from which every cyclist has been banned (most freeways) and plus additional routes that are not available to motorised traffic, such as cycle tracks and (in some jurisdictions) sidewalks. A public road is a road that is open to common use by the general population. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Mountain road with hairpin turns in the French Alps For other uses, see Road (disambiguation). ... For specific systems, such as the Autobahns of Germany, see list of highway systems with full control of access and no cross traffic. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Segregated cycle facilities may consist of a separate road, track, path or lane that is designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The manner in which the public roads network is designed, built and managed can have a significant effect on the utility and safety of cycling as a form of transport. The key issue is whether the cycling network provides the users with direct, convenient routes minimising unnecessary delay and effort in reaching key destinations. Here it is argued that settlements that provide a dense roads network consisting of interconnected streets will tend to be viable utility cycling environments. A simple grid plan road map (Windermere, Florida). ... A city-centre street in Frankfurt, Germany A residential street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA A street is a public thoroughfare in the built environment. ...

In contrast, other communities may use a cul-de-sac based, housing estate/housing subdivision model where minor roads are disconnected and only feed into a street hierarchy of progressively more "arterial" type roads. It is arguable that such communities discourage cycling by imposing unnecessary detours and forcing all cyclists onto busy and dangerous arterial roads for all trips regardless of destination or purpose. It is also reported that the extra motor-traffic such communities generate tends to increase overall per-capita traffic casualty rates. Designs that propose to resolve the contradiction between the cul-de-sac and the traditional interconnected network, such as the Fused Grid, have been proposed and built with varying levels of success.^[6] Particular issues have arisen with personal security and public order problems in some housing schemes using "back alley" type links. For the musical group, see Cul de Sac (group). ... A housing estate is a medium-to-low density residential area, usually part of a suburb of a town or city in a developed country. ... Subdivision is the act of dividing up land into smaller pieces that are easier to sell, usually via a plat. ... A street hierarchy is a system of urban design that completely separates through automobile traffic from developed areas. ... The fused Grid represents the synthesis of two traditional North American approaches to residential neighborhood planning: the traditional, nineteenth-century grid, and the curvilinear pattern of looped streets and cul-de-sacs of modern suburbia. ...

Aspects of the cycling infrastructure may be viewed as either cyclist-hostile or as cyclist-friendly. In general, roads infrastructure based on prioritising motoring and attempting to create a state of constant "flow" for cars will tend to be hostile to non-car users. In 1996, the British Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) and the Institute for Highways and Transportation jointly produced the document "Cycle-friendly infrastructure: Guidelines for planning and design".^[7] This defined a hierarchy of measures for cycling promotion in which the goal is to convert a more or less cyclist-hostile roads infrastructure into one which encourages and facilitates cycling. CTC, the Cyclists Touring Club, is the United Kingdom and Irelands largest and longest established cycling membership organisation. ...

The CTC/IHT hierarchy

Also known as Advance stop line, cycle reservoir (UK) An advanced stop line is a separate stop line painted on the road surface for use by non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles. ... This article or section should include material from Cycle path debate Segregated cycle facilities may consist of a separate road, track, path or lane that is designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. ...

Examples: Traffic reduction

Removing traffic can be achieved by straightforward diversion or alternatively reduction. Diversion involves routing heavy traffic away from roads used by high numbers of cyclists and pedestrians. Examples of diversion include the construction of arterial bypasses and ring roads around urban centres. A bypass is a road or highway that avoids (bypasses) a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety. ...

Traffic reduction can involve direct or indirect methods. Indirect methods involve reducing the infrastructural capacity dedicated to moving or storing cars. This can involve reducing the number of lanes for cars, closing bridges to motorised traffic and creating vehicle restricted zones or environmental traffic cells. In the 1970s the Dutch city of Delft began restricting private car traffic from crossing the city centre^[8]. Similarly, Groningen is divided in to four zones that cannot be crossed by private motor-traffic, (private cars must use the ring road instead).^[9] Cyclists and other traffic can pass between the zones and cycling accounts for 50%+ of trips in Groningen (which reputedly has the third highest proportion of cycle traffic of any city). The Swedish city of Gothenburg uses a similar system of traffic cells.^[10] Car-free zones (also known as auto-free zones and pedestrianised zones) are areas of a city or town in which automobile traffic is prohibited. ... Coordinates: Country Netherlands Province South Holland Area (2006) - Municipality 24. ... Coordinates: Country Netherlands Province Groningen Area (2006) - Municipality 83. ... Location of Gothenburg in northern Europe Coordinates: Country Sweden County VÃ¤stra GÃ¶taland County Province VÃ¤stergÃ¶tland Charter 1621 Government - Mayor GÃ¶ran Johansson Area - City 450 kmÂ² (174 sq mi) - Water 14. ...

Reducing car parking capacity is an associated method. Starting in the 1970s, the city of Copenhagen, which is now noted for high cycling levels, adopted a policy of reducing available car parking capacity by several per cent a year. The city of Amsterdam, where around 40% of all trips are by bicycle,^[11] adopted similar parking reduction policies in the 80s and 90s. Direct traffic reduction methods can involve straightforward bans or more subtle methods like road pricing schemes or road diets. The London congestion charge reportedly resulted in a significant increase in cycle use within the affected area. Underground parking garage at the University of Minnesota. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ... Copenhagen (IPA: or ; Danish: IPA: ) is the capital of Denmark and the countrys largest city. ... Nickname: Motto: Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig (Valiant, Determined, Compassionate) Location of Amsterdam Coordinates: , Country Netherlands Province North Holland Government - Mayor Job Cohen (PvdA) - Aldermen Lodewijk Asscher Hennah Buyne Carolien Gehrels Tjeerd Herrema Maarten van Poelgeest Marijke Vos - Secretary Erik Gerritsen Area [1][2] - City 219 kmÂ² (84. ... Road pricing is a term that refers to the charging for the use of streets and roads. ... A road diet describes a technique of transportation planning in which the width of a road or lane is narrowed in order to achieve improvements to the transportation system. ... The white-on-red C marks all entrances to the congestion charge zone although in some areas the charge zone is poorly signed, and accidental journeys into the zone can occur The London congestion charge is a fee for some motorists entering the Central London area. ...

Examples: Speed reduction

Some cycling experts argue for placing direct restrictions on motor-vehicle speed and acceleration performance^[12]. However, speed reduction has traditionally been attempted by either education, enforcement or road engineering. Education can mean publicity campaigns or targeted road user training. Enforcement in this context generally means the enforcement of statutory speed limits. Speed limit enforcement techniques include: direct police action, automated systems such as speed cameras or vehicle activated signs or traffic lights triggered by traffic exceeding a preset speed threshold. In addition to enforcement of the standard speed limits it is argued that limits of 30 km/h (20 mph) and lower are more appropriate for urban roads with mixed traffic^[13]. The Austrian city of Graz has achieved steady growth in cycling and has applied 30 km/h limits to 75% its streets since 1994^[14]. An EU report on promoting walking and cycling specifies as one of its top measures comprehensive camera-based speed control using mainly movable equipment at unexpected spots^[15]. The Netherlands has an estimated 1,500 speed/red-light camera installations and has set a target for 30 km/h limits on 70% of urban roads. By contrast, the recent use in the UK of a substantial number of visible speed-cameras primarily at fixed locations on arterial routes has had a questionable impact on general motorist behaviour and has been accompanied by a decrease in cycling^[16]. Engineering measures involve physically altering the road layout or appearance to actively, or passively slow traffic down. Measures include speed humps, chicanes, curb extensions, and living street and shared space type schemes. The town of Hilden in Germany has achieved a rate of 24% of trips being on two wheels, mainly via traffic calming and the use of 30 km/h (20 mph) zones.^[17] As of 1999, the Netherlands had over 6000 woonerven where cyclists and pedestrians have legal priority over cars and where a motorised speed limit of "walking speed" applies.^[18] However, some UK and Irish "traffic calming" schemes, particularly involving road narrowings, are viewed as extremely hostile and have been implicated directly in death and injury to cyclists.^[19]^[20] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (914x1182, 404 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Road-rule enforcement camera User:Solipsist/additional images ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (914x1182, 404 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Road-rule enforcement camera User:Solipsist/additional images ... A Gatso speed camera Gatso is a brand of speed camera manufacturd by the Dutch company Gatsometer BV. The Gatso works by using radar to measure the speed of vehicles, and then photographing the vehicle from the rear, after it has passed the camera, if it is travelling above the... A public service announcement (PSA) or community service announcement (CSA) is a non-commercial advertisement typically on radio or television, ostensibly broadcast for the public good. ... A road speed limit is the maximum speed allowed by law for road vehicles. ... A red-light camera in use in Beaverton, Oregon A road-rule enforcement camera is a system including a camera and a vehicle-monitoring device used to detect and identify vehicles disobeying a road rule or road rules. ... Vehicle activated speed enforcing sign Vehicle activated sign (VAS) is a generic term for a type of road traffic sign which displays a message conditional upon the presence, or speed, of a road vehicle. ... The Grazer SchloÃŸberg Clock Tower Graz [graËts] (Slovenian: Gradec IPA: /gra. ... This article or section should be merged with speed humps See also: Speed Bump (a comic strip). ... The Ford chicane on Le Mans A chicane is a sequence of tight serpentine curves (usually an S-shape curve) in a roadway, used in auto racing and on city streets to slow cars. ... A curb extension marked by darkened tarmac and black posts A curb extension (or also kerb extension, bulb-out, curb bulge and blister) is a traffic calming measure, intended to slow the speed of traffic and increase driver awareness, particularly in built-up and residential neighbourhoods. ... German Woonerf or living street (Dan Burden) A living street (also known as a home zone, and by the Dutch name woonerf) is a street in which, unlike in most streets, the needs of car drivers are secondary to the needs of users of the street as a whole. ... Shared space is a traffic engineering philosophy pioneered by the Dutch traffic engineer Hans Monderman. ... Hilden is a North-Rhine-Westphalian (Germany) in the District of Mettmann, 10 km W of Solingen and 15 km east of DÃ¼sseldorf on the right side of the Rhine. ... German Woonerf or living street (Dan Burden) A living street (also known as a home zone, and by the Dutch name woonerf) is a street in which, unlike in most streets, the needs of car drivers are secondary to the needs of users of the street as a whole. ...

Examples: One-way streets

One-way street systems are viewed as a product of urban management that focuses on trying to keep motorised vehicles moving at all costs. If applied to cyclists, they are argued to impose unnecessary trip length and inconvenience. It is argued that there are rarely any traffic management justifications for imposing this restriction on cyclists. In northern Europe, cyclists are frequently granted exemptions from one-way street restrictions. In Belgium, all one-way streets in 50 km/h zones are by default two-way for cyclists.^[21] Denmark, a country with high cycling levels, makes no use of such traffic-flow focused one-way systems.^[22] Some commentators from cyclist-hostile/car-focused jurisdictions argue that the initial goal should be to dismantle large one-way street systems as a traffic calming/traffic reduction measure, followed by the provision of two-way cyclist access on any one-way streets that remain.^[23] A one-way street is a street on which vehicles can only move in one direction. ... The term jurisdiction has more than one sense. ...

Examples: Junction design

In general, junction designs that favour higher-speed turning, weaving and merging movements by motorists will tend to be hostile for cyclists. Features such as large entry curvature, slip-roads and high flow roundabouts are associated with increased risk of car–cyclist collisions. On large roundabouts of the design typically used in the UK and Ireland, cyclists have an injury accident rate that is 14-16 times that of motorists.^[24] Research indicates that excessive sightlines at uncontrolled intersections compound these effects.^[25]^[26] In the UK, a survey of over 8,000 highly experienced and mainly adult male Cyclists Touring Club members found that 28% avoided roundabouts on their regular journey if at all possible.^[27] Cycling advocates argue for modifications and alternative junction types that resolve these issues such as reducing kerb radii on street corners, eliminating slip roads and replacing large roundabouts with signalised intersections. A junction may variously refer to: In road transport, a road junction. ... A roundabout, rotary, or gyratory circus is a type of road junction (or traffic calming device) at which traffic streams circularly around a central island after first yielding to the circulating traffic. ... CTC, the Cyclists Touring Club, is the United Kingdom and Irelands largest cycling membership organisation. ... Traffic lights can have several additional lights for filter turns or bus lanes. ...

Examples: Traffic signals/Traffic control systems

How traffic signals are designed and implemented directly impacts cyclists^[28]. For instance where vehicle detector systems are used to trigger signal changes, some may not detect cyclists at all or must be carefully adjusted to do so. This can leave cyclists in the position of having to "run" red lights if no motorised vehicle arrives to trigger a signal change. Some cities use urban adaptive traffic control systems (UTC's), which use linked traffic signals to manage traffic in response to changes in demand. There is an argument that using a UTC system merely to provide for increased capacity for private motor traffic will simply drive growth in such traffic. However, there are more direct negative impacts. For instance, where signals are arranged to provide private motor traffic with so called green waves, this can create "red waves" for other road users such as cyclists and public transport services. Traffic managers in Copenhagen have now turned this approach on its head and are linking cyclist-specific traffic signals on a major arterial bike lane to provide green waves for rush hour cycle-traffic.^[29] Cycling-specific measures that can be applied at traffic signals include the use of advanced stop lines and/or bypasses. In some cases cyclists might be given a free-turn or a signal bypass if turning into a road on the nearside. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3008x2000, 3199 KB) Summary (C), 2006, Gerry Lynch. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3008x2000, 3199 KB) Summary (C), 2006, Gerry Lynch. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Traffic lights will sometimes differ where there are several lanes of traffic. ... A green wave is an intentionally induced phenomenon, where a series of traffic lights (usually three or more) are coordinated to allow continuous traffic flow over several intersections in one main direction. ... Also known as Advance stop line, cycle reservoir (UK) An advanced stop line is a separate stop line painted on the road surface for use by non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles. ...

Examples: Redistribution of the carriageway

One method for reducing potential friction between cyclists and motorised vehicles is to provide Wide Kerb (nearside) lanes (UK) or Wide outside through lanes (USA). These extra wide lanes increase the probability that motorists will be able to pass cyclists at a safe distance without having to change lanes.^[30] This is held to be particularly important on routes with a high proportion of wide vehicles such as buses or HGVs. They also provide more room for cyclists to filter past queues of cars in congested conditions. A wide outside lane (WOL), sometimes called a wide curb lane (WCL), is a term used by cyclists and bicycle transportation engineers to refer to an outside lane of a roadway that is wide enough to be safely shared side by side by a bicycle and another vehicle at the... A Go North East bus parked in a lay-by in Tyne and Wear, England. ... Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) is a generic and formal designation in British English for classification of large road vehicles intended to carry goods. ...

Cycle friendly infrastructure argues for a marked lane width of 4.25 m.^[7] It is argued that, on undivided roads, this width provides cyclists with adequate clearance from passing HGVs while being sufficiently narrow to deter car users from attempting to “double up” and form two lanes. This “doubling up” effect may be related to junctions. At non-junction locations, greater width might be preferable if this effect can be avoided. The use of such wide lanes is specifically endorsed by Cycling: the way ahead for towns and cities, the European Commission policy document on cycle promotion.^[31] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 Ã— 1920 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 Ã— 1920 pixel, file size: 1. ... Mannheim is a city in Germany. ... The Commission seat in Brussels The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European Communities) is the executive body of the European Union. ...

Shared Bus and Cycle lanes are also a widely endorsed method for providing for cyclists. Many cycling activists view these as being more attractive than cycle lanes or paths. In addition, it is arguably easier, politically speaking, to argue for funding of joint facilities rather than expensive and controversial segregated cycling facilities.

Cycle lanes and cycle tracks

The use of segregated cycle facilities such as cycle lanes and cycle tracks is often advocated as a means of promoting utility cycling. However, the use of such devices is highly controversial both in terms of safety and cycling promotion. In terms of safety, separate cycle lanes or cycle tracks can seriously undermine safety if inappropriately designed or if used at inappropriate locations. Similarly, while it is possible to use separate facilities to promote cycling, it is also possible to use them for the opposite purpose: for removing priority from cyclists and giving it to motorists. Thus it is argued that the use and potential effects of segregated facilities for cyclists cannot be viewed in isolation from the underlying design, management and legal philosophies that govern the overall transportation infrastructure. Cycleway, Bicycle street and Pedestrian/Cyclist bridge in Nuremberg, Germany Segregated cycle facilities may consist of separate roads, tracks, paths or lanes designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. ...

Trip-end facilities

Bicycle parking/storage arrangements

Secure parking is argued to be a key factor influencing the decision to cycle. To be considered secure, the parking must be of a suitable design: allowing the bicycle to be locked via the frame. In addition, the bike parking must be located in a readily observable location permitting so-called passive security from passers-by. Weather protection is also desirable. As a rule, where cycling is being encouraged as an alternative to motoring, efforts are made to make bicycle parking more convenient and attractive to use than the equivalent car parking arrangements. This usually means providing a wide distribution of visible, well-signed, parking as close as possible to the entrances of the destinations being served. Storage rooms or bicycle lockers may also be provided. In some cases large concentrations of bike parking may be more appropriate. These storage facilities can sometimes be supervised and sometimes charge a fee. Examples include large bike parks at public transport interchanges such as railway, subway, tram or bus stations. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x960, 681 KB) Bicycle parking at en:Alewife (MBTA station), en:Cambridge, Massachusetts I took the picture on August 24, 2001. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x960, 681 KB) Bicycle parking at en:Alewife (MBTA station), en:Cambridge, Massachusetts I took the picture on August 24, 2001. ... T sign and top of glass pyramid from roof-level parking deck of Alewife Station, September 2004 Alewife Station, located at the intersection of Alewife Brook Parkway and Cambridgepark Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a local intermodal transportation hub. ... Location in Massachusetts Coordinates: , Country United States State Massachusetts County Middlesex County Settled 1630 Incorporated 1636 Government - Type Mayor-council city - Mayor Kenneth Reeves (D) Area - City 7. ... This article or section should include material from Cycle path debate Segregated cycle facilities may consist of a separate road, track, path or lane that is designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1064, 1104 KB) Summary Bicycle parking lot in Amsterdam Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Bicycle Utility cycling Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1064, 1104 KB) Summary Bicycle parking lot in Amsterdam Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Bicycle Utility cycling Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize... Nickname: Motto: Heldhaftig, Vastberaden, Barmhartig (Valiant, Determined, Compassionate) Location of Amsterdam Coordinates: , Country Netherlands Province North Holland Government - Mayor Job Cohen (PvdA) - Aldermen Lodewijk Asscher Hennah Buyne Carolien Gehrels Tjeerd Herrema Maarten van Poelgeest Marijke Vos - Secretary Erik Gerritsen Area [1][2] - City 219 kmÂ² (84. ... A rapid transit, underground, subway, tube, elevated, or metro(politan) system is a railwayâ€”usually in an urban areaâ€”with a high capacity and frequency of service, and grade separation from other traffic. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... A Go North East bus parked in a lay-by in Tyne and Wear, England. ...

Conversely, at particular destinations, or in cultures, where cycling is seen as an unwelcome or inappropriate activity, bicycle parking may simply not be provided or else deliberately placed at awkward, out-of-sight, locations away from public view. In such cultural situations, cyclists may even be expressly forbidden from parking their bicycles at the most obvious and convenient locations. This is the case, for example, in much of Central London; the reasoning is unclear, as bicycle parking may be forbidden due to perceived aesthetic reasons, or as a security precaution against explosives being hidden in the frame. Central London is a much-used but unofficial and vaguely defined term for the most inner part of London, the capital of England. ...

Other trip end facilities

Some people need to wear special clothes such as business suits or uniforms in their daily work. In some cases the nature of the cycling infrastructure and the prevailing weather conditions may make it very hard to both cycle and maintain the work clothes in a presentable condition. It is argued that such workers can be encouraged to cycle by providing lockers, changing rooms and shower facilities where they can change before starting work. A suit, also known as a business suit, comprises a collection of matching clothing consisting of: a coat (commonly known as a jacket) a waistcoat (optional) (USA vest) a pair of trousers (USA pants) Though not part of a suit, a shirt and tie very frequently accompany it. ... This page describes uniform in the sense of clothing. ...

Active theft reduction measures

The theft of bicycles is one of the major problems that slow the development of urban cycling. Bicycle theft discourages regular cyclists from buying new bicycles, as well as putting off people who might want to invest in a bicycle.

Certain European countries apply such measures with success, such as the Netherlands or certain German cities using registration and recovery. Since mid-2004, France has instituted a system of registration, in some places allowing stolen bicycles to be put on file in partnership with the urban cyclists' associations. This approach has reputedly increased the stolen bicycle recovery rate to more than 40%. By comparison, before the commencement of registration, the recovery rate in France was about 2%. An anti-theft system is any device or method used to prevent or deter the unauthorized appropriation of items considered valuable. ... This article needs cleanup. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ...

In some areas of the United Kingdom, bicycles fitted with location tracking devices are left poorly secured in theft hot-spots. When the bike is stolen, the police can locate it and arrest the thieves. This sometimes leads to the dismantling of organised bicycle theft rings.

Integration with other transport modes

Cycling can often be intregrated successfully with other transport modes. For example, in the Netherlands and Denmark a large number of train journeys may start by bicycle. In 1991, 44% of Dutch train travellers went to their local station by bicycle and 14% used a bicycle at their destinations. ^[32] The key ingredients for this are claimed to be: Image File history File links Fietsen. ... Image File history File links Fietsen. ...

It has been argued in relation to this aspect of Dutch or Danish policy that ongoing investment in rail services is vital to maintaining their levels of cycle use. An often forgotten major success story is the integration of cycling and public transport is Japan.^[33] Its historically compact and relatively flat towns and cities, with mostly narrow roads and lanes, has meant a very high rate of bicycle use that continues today. In January 2007, the European parliament adopted a motion decreeing that all international trains must carry bicycles^[34]. In some cities, bicycles may also be carried on local trains, trams and buses so that they may be used at either end of the trip. The Rheinbahn transit company in Düsseldorf permits bicycle carriage on all its bus, tram and train services at any time of the day^[35]. In France, the prestigious TGV high-speed trains are even having some of their first class capacity converted to store bicycles ^[36]. There have also been schemes, such as in Victoria, British Columbia, and Acadia to provide bicycle carriage on buses using externally mounted racks.^[37]^[38] In Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, three bus routes have externally mounted racks for bicycles.^[39] All public transit buses in Chicago and suburbs allows up to two bikes at all times.^[40]^[41] Trains allow bikes with some restrictions.^[42] Where such services are not available, some cyclists get around this restriction by using folding bikes that can be brought onto the train or bus like a piece of luggage. It has been suggested that Local trains be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... A Go North East bus parked in a lay-by in Tyne and Wear, England. ... DÃ¼sseldorf is the capital city of the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and (together with Cologne and the Ruhr Area) the economic center of Western Germany. ... For the group of heart conditions referred to as TGV, see transposition of the great vessels. ... Location of Victoria within the Capital Regional District in British Columbia, Canada Country Canada Province British Columbia Regional District Capital Incorporated 1862[1] Government - Mayor Alan Lowe (past mayors) - Governing body Victoria City Council - MP Denise Savoie - MLAs Carole James, Rob Fleming Area [2] - City 19. ... The national flag of Acadia, adopted in 1884. ... Template:Hide = Motto: Template:Unhide = Industry Integrity Progress Image:Abedm. ... A Brompton folding bicycle A folding bicycle or folder is a type of bicycle that incorporates a number of hinges or joints, which may be lockable, that permit it to be folded into a more compact size. ...

However, there are strong cultural variations in how cycling is treated in such situations. For instance in the Irish university city of Galway the secure parking of bikes is forbidden within the grounds of the central train station. However, cut-price car parking is available for motorists holding a valid train ticket. Representation of a university class, 1350s. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Statistics Province: Connacht County: DÃ¡il Ã‰ireann: Galway West European Parliament: North-West Dialling Code: 091 Postal District(s): G Area: 50. ...

Marketing: The public image of cycling

An individual's perception of cycling and their expectations of how they might be perceived if they are seen cycling can affect their decision to cycle or not. Thus cycling might be marketed positively by interests that wish to promote it. Alternatively, other interests might seek to market cycling negatively for their own purposes. Thus interests from the car lobby may seek to belittle cyclists in an attempt to enhance their own status as motorists. As with other areas of competition a marketing or propaganda conflict takes place between both sides. Wikibooks has more about this subject: Marketing Look up marketing in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Soviet Propaganda Poster during the World War II. The text reads Red Army Fighter, SAVE US! Chinese propaganda poster from during the Cultural Revolution. ...

Positive marketing of cycling

Two themes predominate in cycling promotion 1) the benefits for the cyclist and 2) the benefits for society and the environment that may occur if more people choose to cycle. The benefits for the cyclist tend to focus issues like reduced journey times in congested urban conditions and the health benefits which the cyclist obtains through regular exercise. Societal benefits focus on general environmental and public health issues. Promotional messages and tactics may include:

Cardiovascular disease refers to the class of diseases that involve the heart and/or blood vessels (arteries and veins). ... Safety in numbers is the theory that by being part of a large group, an individual member is proportionally less likely to be the victim of a mishap, accident, or other bad event. ...

Negative marketing of utility cycling

Various interests may wish to portray a negative image of utility cycling on public roads for various reasons. Some governments, wishing to promote private car use, have organized and funded publicity designed to discourage road cycling. Official road safety organisations have distributed literature that emphasizes the danger of cycling on roads while failing to mention that drivers of heavy motor vehicles are the source of the danger. Some road safety authorities have been accused of having a deliberate policy of discouraging cycling as a means of reducing bicyclist casualty statistics.

The car industry's marketing efforts frequently try to associate car use with a perception of increased social status. The flip side of this tactic implies efforts to portray alternative transport modes, such as cycling, as indicators of reduced social status and/or poverty. Social status is the standing, the honour or prestige attached to ones position in society. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows what he found. ...

Most controversially, negative images may also be promoted by people who claim to be representing the interests of cyclists. Promoters of bicycle helmets may seek to ridicule cyclists who choose not to use them, and are frequently accused of significantly overstating and exaggerating both the risks posed to cyclists and the protective benefits of helmets. Bicycle helmet A bicycle helmet is designed to provide head protection for cyclists. ...

Similar accusations have been made against some proponents of segregated cycle facilities. Once again, the risks experienced by cyclists are alleged to have been overstated and deliberately exaggerated. Simultaneously it may be alleged that the safety impacts of cycle facilities have been overstated and/or misrepresented. The accusation has been made that the object is to impose on the public mind a perception that cycling by the public on public roads is too "dangerous" or "impossible" to do unless cycle facilities are provided first. Cycleway, Bicycle street and Pedestrian/Cyclist bridge in Nuremberg, Germany Segregated cycle facilities may consist of separate roads, tracks, paths or lanes designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. ...

Retail policy

If significant use of bicycles for shopping trips is to be achieved, sufficient retail services must be maintained within reasonable cycling distances of residential areas. Countries like Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany are noted for high levels of cycling. It is arguable that this is related to policies that favour access to retail services by non-motorised modes. The Danish 1997 Planning Act requires that planning shall encourage a diverse mix of retail shops in small and medium-sized towns and in individual districts of large cities and ensure that retail trade uses will be placed in locations to which people have good access by walking, bicycling and public transport. From the mid-1970s the Netherlands has had policies in place to severely restrict the growth of large out-of-town retail developments.^[5] Germany has had federal planning regulations in place to restrict retail uses to designated areas since the 1960s. In addition, since the 1970s federal regulations have been in place specifying that developments above a certain size (1,200 m²) be assessed regarding potential adverse impacts. These federal regulations are further strengthened by regionally adopted regulations. This includes regulations specifying that new retail centres be limited to selling products not readily provided by shops at inner city/town centre locations.^[5] In Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany, this approach not restricted to planning guidelines and is also supported by a ban on below cost selling.^[43] This supports smaller shops by preventing large multiples from engaging in predatory pricing practices by aggressively discounting key goods to use as so called loss leaders. Predatory pricing is the practice of a dominant firm selling a product at a loss in order to drive some or all competitors out of the market, or create a barrier to entry into the market for potential new competitors. ... In marketing, a loss leader is an item that is sold below cost in an effort to stimulate other profitable sales. ...

Alternative retail policies

From the 1980s to mid-1990s the UK operated a system of laissez-faire with regard to retail policy. The "great car economy" philosophy of the Thatcher government directly favoured the growth of out-of-town retail centres at the expense of established retail services in British towns and cities. The UK Town and Country Planning Association cites research by the New Economics Foundation that throws stark light on what occurred and is continuing to occur to this day.^[44] Laissez-faire is short for laissez faire, laissez passer, a French phrase meaning to let things alone, let them pass. First used by the eighteenth century Physiocrats as an injunction against government interference with trade, it is now used as a synonym for strict free market economics. ... Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC (born October 13, 1925), former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in office from 1979 to 1990. ... The Town and Country Planning Association is Englands oldest environmental charity. ... The New Economics Foundation is a British think-tank, or, in their own description, a think-and-do tank. The groups goal is to promote their progressive view of welfare economics and environmentalism. ...

It is arguable that in such a retail/planning policy environment use of bicycles ceases to be a viable option for many shoppers and access to a private motor-car or public transport becomes a necessary prerequisite for access to basic services.

Cycle training

Cycle training is another measure that is advocated as a means of maintaining or increasing levels of cycle use. The training involves teaching existing or potential cyclists bike handling, various roadcraft or "cyclecraft" skills and educating them on the safe, lawful use of the roads. Bicycle training schemes can be differentiated according to whether they are aimed at children or adults. Vehicular cycling, or VC, is the practice of driving bicycles on roads in a manner which is visible, predictable, and in accordance with the principles for driving a vehicle in traffic. ...

In the UK, the now superseded National Cycle Proficiency scheme was focused on primary schoolchildren aged 8 and above. In this, children would start by gaining an off-road certificate working up to their on-road certificate by the age of ten. Initial training and examination took place on simulated road layouts within school playgrounds. This approach has now been supplemented by the new National Standard for cycle training which is more focussed on practical on-road training^[45]. This is part of Cycling England's portfolio of practical assistance to local authorities and other bodies, aimed at achieving their aim of "More cycling, more safely, more often"^[46].

In the United States, the League of American Bicyclists Road 1/2 courses, based on the Effective Cycling program, has modules aimed at all ages from children to adult beginners to more experienced adults. It is argued that such schemes do not just build confidence in the students but also make it more likely that parents will let their children cycle to school. Cycle training may also be offered in an attempt to overcome cultural unfamiliarity with cycling or perceived cultural obstacles to bicycle use. In the Netherlands, some cycle training courses are targeted at women from immigrant communities, as a means of overcoming such obstacles to cycling by women from developing countries.^[47] The League of American Bicyclists (LAB), a cyclists advocacy group was founded in 1880 as the League of American Wheelmen to improve riding conditions within the United States of America. ... Effective Cycling is a trademarked cycling educational program designed by John Forester, which was promoted for a number of years by the League of American Wheelmen. ...

User associations

As with other walks of life, utility cyclists may form associations in order to promote and develop cycling as an everyday form of transport. The European Cyclists' Federation is the umbrella body for such groups in Europe. These associations may lobby various institutions to encourage political support or to oppose measures that they judge counter-productive, such as to oppose the introduction of compulsory bicycle helmet legislation. European Cyclists Federation is an umbrella organisation for national cycling organisations throughout Europe. ... Bicycle helmet A bicycle helmet is designed to provide head protection for cyclists. ...

Free bicycle/Short term hire schemes

Copenhagen has a free bike scheme called City Bikes. Riders pay a refundable deposit at one of 100 special bike racks and have unlimited use of a bike within a specified area^[48]. The scheme is funded by commercial sponsors. In return, the bikes carry advertisements, which appear on the bike frame and the solid-disk type wheels. Helsinki has a similar scheme, using bicycles available at over 26 stands for a €2 deposit, which is refundable at any other stand. Generally speaking, advertising is the paid promotion of goods, services, companies and ideas by an identified sponsor. ... Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe Coordinates: , Country Finland Province Southern Finland Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki Charter 1550 Capital city 1812 Government - City manager Jussi Pajunen Area - City 187. ...

The advertising company JCDecaux has launched its "Cyclocity" programs in Lyon, Córdoba and Vienna. Here hundreds of bikes are made available for hire from special, widely-dispersed bicycle racks. Payment for using the bikes is done with special smart cards. JCDecaux Group (Euronext: DEC) (IPA: ) is a multinational corporation based in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, that is active primarily in advertising. ... A VÃ©lov Bicycle A VÃ©lov Station VÃ©lov is bicycle rental service run by the city of Lyon, France, in conjunction with the advertising company JCDecaux. ... Location Coordinates : , , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name CÃ³rdoba (Spanish) Spanish name CÃ³rdoba Founded 8th century BC Postal code 140xx Website http://www. ... â€œWienâ€ redirects here. ... Smart card used for health insurance in France. ...

A similar scheme is offered by competitor Clear Channel Adshel in Barcelona called bicing, although there it´s paid by car owners parking on public streets and not by advertising. ^[49] Clear channel stations are AM radio stations that are designated as such so that only one or two 50,000 watt powerhouses operate at night on each designated frequency, covering a wide area via sky wave propagation. ... Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Barcelona (Catalan) Spanish name Barcelona Nickname Ciutat Comtal (Catalan) Postal code 08001â€“08080 Area code 34 (Spain) + 93 (Barcelona) Website http://www. ... Bicing is the name of a public community bicycle program in Barcelona inaugurated in March 2007, similar to the VÃ©lov service in Lyon and VÃ©lib in Paris. ...

In some German cities, the national rail company Deutsche Bahn offers a convenient bike rental service: "Call a Bike". The Call a Bike principle is very simple, the bikes are locked electronically and again left in the open at widely distributed locations. A potential user phones an operator with the number of the bike he or she wishes to use. The operator confirms the customer's account details and unlocks the bicycle remotely. If desired, billing can be done directly to the users mobile phone account. Germanys main train operator, the Deutsche Bahn AG (German Railway Corporation, also known as DB or DBAG) provides passenger and freight service via federally owned tracks. ... Call a Bike is a bike hire system run by Deutsche Bahn in several German cities, which uses a system of authentication codes to automatically lock and unlock bikes. ... A telephone operator at work on a private switchboard A telephone operator is either a person who provides assistance to a telephone caller, usually in the placing of operator assisted telephone calls such as calls from a pay phone, collect calls (called reversed-charge calls in the UK), calls which...

In Charleston, WV, a joint ministry of St. John's Episcopal Church, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Mountain State Wheelers bicycle club is 'Spokes4Folks', which collects used bicycles, refurbishes them, and then distributes them to clients at the Manna Meals Soup Kitchen two or three times per year. They are considering expanding their services to include encouragement of bicycle-based entrepreneurship and bicycle-related youth development services.

Madison, WI had a program where specific bicycles, always painted red, were available for the use of anyone coming across them on the street (especially used on State Street between the UW campus and the capitol). The only rule regarding their use was that they were always to remain outside and unlocked for any passerby to use. This program (called Red Bikes) has since been modified to include deposits for the bicycle and a lock and is only available from spring (when all snow has melted) to November 30. [10] Wisconsin State Capitol Madison is the capital of Wisconsin, a state of the United States of America. ... Located in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, United States, near the Wisconsin State Capitol, State Street hosts a variety of shops, bars, and restaurants and is known for its small town appeal and street musicians and jugglers and other types of busking, making it a common tourist attraction. ... Plaque on Bascom Hall, UW-Madison. ... The Wisconsin State Capitol, located in Madison, Wisconsin, houses both arms of the Wisconsin legislature, the state Supreme Court, and the Office of the Governor. ...

Influence of technology

A motorized bicycle is a bicycle with an attached motor used to assist with pedalling. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Power-assisted cycle. ...

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