Traffic engineering considers pedestrians and cyclists to be the most vulnerable users of roads. So the best way to protect cyclists is to build a dedicated lane for cycling. These lanes are used to create on-street right of way facilities for bicyclists.

Driving a two-wheeler is by nature riskier than driving a four-wheeler. Therefore, a bicycle lane is the primary requirement to ensure the safety of bicyclists. Towards that end, countries like the Netherlands consider bicycle lanes from planning phase of road infrastructure. Likewise, most countries in the world promote cycling because of its health, environment, and economic benefits.

Proper lanes

Besides a good and safe bicycle lane, a typical bicycle user requires parking facilities to park bicycles economically, safely, and easily. Route signs, lane striping, and other bike lane markings alert motorised vehicle drivers to expect cyclists, who will be sharing their roadways. This also ensures the right of the cyclists at particular road spaces. There are five internationally recognised requirements that must be balanced in the design of cycling infrastructure namely, directness in time and distance, safety, comfort, attractiveness, and coherence.

Bicycle lanes generally range from 1.2 to two metres in width. According to the UK’s Gloucestershire County Council, a bicycle lane should be two metres wide on busy roads or where vehicles are travelling in excess of 40 miles per hour (mph). A minimum width of 1.5m may be acceptable on roads with a 30 mph speed limit. For cycle feeder lanes to advanced stop line arrangements, a minimum width of 1.2m may be applicable. A two-metre wide bicycle lane would allow overtaking. Bicycle lanes should be paved adjacent to the roadway and must be separated from traffic lanes by clear stripes. The surface needs to be smooth and free from potholes and cracks for easy and barrier-free flow of bicycles. This enhances the speed as well as safety. Bicycle lanes could be made of asphalt or concrete pavement. And as they are one-way facilities, there should be bicycle lanes on both sides of roads.   

Lights and maintenance

Traffic signals also need to have separate indicators for bicyclists. Bicycle riders must follow the traffic rules and regulations like all other road users. At road intersections and crossings, cyclists must obey designated bicycle traffic lights to cross safely. In the absence of a designated light, cyclists must only cross the road when the lights turn green. While turning left or right, cyclists must signal the bicycles behind them by hand gestures and should also carefully watch other incoming and outgoing vehicles to avoid conflict.

Nonetheless, infrastructure alone cannot ensure safety. The condition of the bicycle and the riding skills of the cyclist are also crucial to ensure safety. It is imperative that bicycle users ensure that their ride is in a good condition. They must make sure that their wheels are filled with air, the pedals are oiled, and the brakes function well.

While street lights in the cities should be designed by keeping bicyclists in mind, bicycles must also be equipped with lights at the front—white light visible from a distance of at least 500 ft.— and a red reflector at the back while riding in the dark. Cyclists must also always wear a helmet while on the road. Furthermore, as a bicycle is one-man ride, additional pillion riders are never acceptable.

Cycling for all

The first official 2.6 km dedicated bicycle lane from Tinkune to Maitighar in Kathmandu is near completion. This will be a milestone in developing other bicycle networks in Nepal. People generally use cycle on shorter commutes. According to Presto Cycling Policy Guide, more than 80 percent of all bicycle trips are less than 10 km long. So planners need to keep this figure in mind while planning future bicycle lanes.

Improving bicycle safety and demonstrating the importance of cycling in terms of physical, economical, and environmental benefits can encourage greater use of the bicycle as a mode of transportation. Bicycles can also reduce the number of vehicles on the road, resulting in better traffic flow.

Promoting cycling will also help develop a sustainable transportation system. In recent times, cycle rallies have been organised to attract the attention of city planners to develop infrastructure for cycling. Although these rallies have gained popularity, it is the duty of the state to promote cycling and teach its denizens about safe riding. An energy-starved country like Nepal must prioritise developing a transportation system that operates without fossil fuel.

In Nepal, cycling is not a lifestyle choice of the lower classes; rather, it is a default mode of transportation for those who cannot afford private motorised vehicles or even public transportation. The concept that rich people ride motorcycles or cars and the poor ride bicycles has to be changed as the bicycle is a mode of transport for all classes of people.

Gajurel is a traffic engineer ([email protected])