Shared Facilities forPedestrians and Cyclists
Policy Statement
1 Introduction
1.1 Thereare over 6 million disabled people in the UK and well over 1 million blind andpartially sighted people many of whom also have additional disabilities,especially hearing loss, and experience serious problems moving around thebuilt environment. Those engaged in providing services and facilities in thebuilt environment should always take their needs into account.
1.2 TheJoint Committee, which comprises representatives of organisations of and forvisually impaired and deafblind people with a specific interest in mobilityseeks to create an environment that enables blind, deafblind and partiallysighted people to move around the built environment safely, independently andwithout restriction.
1.3 It isclear that the present system of segregating pedestrians and cyclists in so faras it is based on a painted and /or raised white line is unsatisfactory anddangerous. It has caused numerous accidents some of which have given rise tolitigation.
1.4 Thepresent situation is causing widespread concern not only to people with asensory impairment but also to other pedestrians and facility planners. Theseconcerns and needs should be taken into account as part of the national cycling and pedestrian policies.
2 General principles
2.1 Thebenefits of providing safer conditions for cycling are recognised and supported.
2.2 Theright of all pedestrians to unrestricted and safe passage on the footway mustbe upheld under all circumstances.
2.3 Aproper balance must be established between vehicular traffic, cyclists andpedestrians so that each does not adversely affect the others.
2.4 Safetyand peace of mind of footway and carriageway users must have precedence overall other issues.
2.5 Sharedfacilities should never be introduced, except in exceptional circumstances, andthen only for short distances to ensure the continuity of the route and onlyafter full and effective consultation has taken place with all relevantorganisations, especially those representing pedestrians, elderly people,cyclists and disabled people, including people with sensory impairments.
3 Suitability of Pedestrian andCyclist Areas
3.1 Thesuitability for the provision of a shared facility should be based on theanticipated density and nature of pedestrian and cycle use and on considerationof the physical nature of the proposed site.
3.2 Extrinsicfeatures such as existing street furniture, bus shelters and pedestriancrossings should not be allowed to prevent the provision of a safe pedestrian environment. If extrinsicfeatures stand in the way of a safe environment then they should be moved.
4 Specifications
4.1 In all areas:
4.1.1 Effectivesegregation of cyclists and pedestrians should always be maintained eitherthrough a level change of kerb height, a 1m high barrier or any other methodthat may be developed and agreed.
4.1.2 Effectivevisual and tactile signage must be used to indicate any entry or exit points toshared facilities.
4.1.3 Suitableand safe arrangements must be made for pedestrian access to all footwayamenities, for example, crossing points, bus stops, telephone boxes
4.2 Heavilytrafficked areas
4.2.1 Sharedfacilities should not be permitted within the following types of location,which are totally inappropriate for cycling;
pedestrianised areas
promenades
parks and recreational grounds
shopping areas and footways
4.2.2 Segregatedshared facilities are only acceptable where there is sufficient width toaccommodate both users needs. The pedestrian side of the shared facility shouldalways provide a minimum obstacle free clear passage of 2.0m in accordance withthe Institute of Highways and Transportation (IHT) guidelines.
4.2.3 Propersegregation can be achieved by either a standard 100mm kerb with pedestrian andcyclist at different levels, or a 1.0 metre high barrier such as a fence, ahedge maintained in accordance with IHT guidance or other type of barrier. Features such as dropped kerbs with correcttactile paving should always be installed where appropriate. Any barrier should have suitable gaps wherenecessary; a lower rail no higher than 200mm above ground; no sharp orprotruding parts and should contrast incolour and tone with the background against which it is seen.
4.3 Lightlytrafficked areas
4.3.1 Onthe outskirts of a town or village where there is a low density of pedestriansand cyclists a shared facility could be permitted if it meets the followingconditions.
4.3.2 The pedestrian footway is a minimum obstacle freeclear passage of 2.4 metres.
4.3.3 Aneffective form of raised white line is agreed.
4.3.4 Differentsurface texture and colour is laid, such as paving slabs for the footway andtarmac for the cycle way.
4.3.5 Atapproaches to points where cyclists and pedestrians may cross or converge, roadcrossing points for example, the cyclist facility should be surfaced with amaterial that effectively reduces speed and produces noise.
4.4 Ruralareas
4.4.1 In sparsely populated rural areas where segregationmay be unnecessary, such as a forestry footpath or disused railway line signsmust still be provided warning cyclists to take care and give right of way toall pedestrians.
5 Generalrequirements
5.1 Consultation
5.1.1 Sharedfacilities should never be introduced before full and effective consultationhas taken place with all local relevant organisations, especially thoserepresenting people with disabilities (including people with sensoryimpairments), Local Access Groups and rehabilitation officers. The JointCommittee can provide details of local organisations representing visuallyimpaired people.
5.1.2 Anyorganisations developing national or regional programmes or guidelines mustconsult with national organisations representing pedestrians, elderly anddisabled people, including people with sensory impairments.
5.1.3 Aspart of the consultation exercise particular attention will need to be paid toadjusting pedestrian crossings and traffic signals to take into account theintroduction of cycleways and to ensure cyclists obey such crossings andtraffic signals.
5.2 Enforcement
5.2.1 Regulationsconcerning cycling in shared facilities should be enforced by the use of fixedpenalty fines.
5.2.2 Regulationsrelating to the prohibition of cycling on footpaths and other pedestrian areasshould be enforced at all times by fixed penalty fines.
5.2.3 Constructionand Use Regulations for Bicycles should be amended to reinstate the requirementfor the use of an audible warning.
5.3 Education
5.3.1 Whencontemplating the introduction of shared facilities a comprehensive publicinformation campaign with special emphasis on cyclists and pedestrians must beimplemented by the local authority or other organisation responsible for thefacility. Information on the importanceof considering the needs of pedestrians with disabilities should be provided tocyclists purchasing cycles.
5.3.2 Cycleproficiency programmes should be encouraged in schools and should includetraining modules on the needs of elderly and disabled people in particular.
5.3.3 Considerationshould be given, with interested parties including ROSPA, to the development ofnational standards of cycle proficiency.
5.4 Publicity
5.4.1 Ageneral publicity campaign must be mounted which indicates both the rights ofpedestrians and the benefits to cyclists.
5.4.2 Suchpublicity should be carried out at three levels - nationally by the Departmentof Transport, locally by local authorities, and both nationally and locally bydisability organisations and others including the Cyclists Touring Club andSustrans.
5.5 Review
5.5.1 Anyapproved project must be reviewed after one year following consultation withlocal bodies to which any evidence of problems or benefits must be widelypublicised.
5.5.2 Financial provision must be available to implementchange if that is necessary.
JCMBPSP 16October 1996