The construction of bikeways is not a simple task, the simple fact of setting them it doesn’t mean is a good work, due these exclusive lanes must comply with certain features to be considered safe. It is workless to build a cycle path that won’t protect, neither benefit cyclist or community.
The purpose of a bikeway is to ease the mobility of users of non-motorized vehicles, above all of bicycles, from one side to another in a protected way. This refers to physical barriers that impede the passage of cars to that lane, avoiding the run over of cyclists.
For that is necessary to comply with certain specifications, in that way their installation satisfies the previous purpose, at the same time that works in harmony with motorists and pedestrians. Of course, always prioritizing the well-being of cyclists.
However, for this to be possible, is necessary to homogenize their construction, that includes the specifications of the materials to use in the same, measures of lanes, locations and more. This will help to the construction of more visible, durable and safe bikeways.
Of course, will exist situations that due the nature and type of roads, bike lanes must adapt to certain changes and logistical exceptions. However, this doesn’t mean they do not have other elements that make their presence known always.
Regulations for the construction of bikeways, absolutely necessary
The previous information is clear for Armando Pliego Ishikawa, activist and member of the Movilidad Segura network. Its case is centered in cyclepaths of Puebla which details that most of them had a wrong construction, due at the moment of its installation had a lack of technical regulations to execute them with the correct requirements.
Emphasize that, when were constructed many of them, were made without considering the needs of cyclists.
“So, we have many cases as the 2 Sur between 31 and 13 Poniente (bikeway), where the infrastructure is too narrow, is a 1-meter length lane, the same as the 14 Sur”, commented to Megalopolis, adding that this is also next to sidewalk in the left.
Now that this and other stadiums, and municipalities have more specific regulations for the construction of bikeways, Pliego stands out that “what is missing, is that all the infrastructure built before the regulations, has to be updated”, above all, due “were built as they came up with, dut it didn’t exist any rule of how had to be designed and implemented, that’s the reason of the traffic issues.”
Urgent need for renovation and construction
We could excuse road, government and municipal authorities, considering that just a few years ago, urban cycling wasn’t so present on streets, for that, maybe believed that building bikeways at any place and condition satisfies to cyclists.
However, in recent years, above all, due pandemic, more people move by bike from their homes to work, or just enjoy of recreational and sporty rides. This involves the increase in the need of new cycling lanes in the different roadways where are capable and necessary.
Even though, every city and state can have their own manuals and regulations to the installation of these, is important to build them under the parameters. In the same way, it would be ideal to remodel and adapt existing cycling lanes under the current regulations; at the end, all the road agents have the right of transit and move easily, safely and with exclusive spaces, such as sidewalks, cycle paths, streets, ramps, etc.
Regulations to consider
Some of the measures to consider for the correct construction of bikeways, is the width of these. For example, in Mexico City, the regulation that indicates that the cycle path of a lane must have a width of 1.5 meter; this with the aim that doesn’t exists a hit between cyclists and even, can exceed to another without problem; in the case of bikeways with two lanes, must measure 2.5 meters for a comfortable transport of users.
According to installation and location, after performing the corresponding studies that demonstrate their feasibility, this has to be placed on the right side of street or avenue, due is the zone that represents less risk for cyclists.
Finally, one of the most important aspects is having separated cycle paths, meaning, having the physical element that maintain separated road transit from cyclist.
The best way to achieve this is with the implementation of the called confibicis. These have a great visibility and resistance, making cars don’t invade bike lane.
In the case of the shared bus bike lane, the installation of channelizers or lane separators can be supplanted with other elements, such as paving, signs that indicate the presence of a bikeway, traffic paddles and smaller devices too.
These are recommendations, but not all of them can be followed. From there the need that a guidance ease the installation of bikeways, as the call to corresponding authorities for implementing them in a correct and fair way for everyone.
