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Cycling by Design

8.77 Canal Paths and Riverside Paths:

8.78 The conversion of canal and riverside paths may provide an attractive and useful cycle facility. However a number of factors should first be considered:-

(i) Sufficient width should be made available to avoid conflict with anglers. A 1.2m exclusion zone adjacent to the water course is recommended (Refer to Figure 8.9);

(ii) Existing paths are likely to require resurfacing (Refer to Chapter 12);

(iii) Cycling adjacent to water may be hazardous unless appropriate safety measures are provided. It is recommended that balustrades should be erected along the cycle track’s edge adjacent to the water course at every change of direction and access point and that life saving equipment be provided at regular intervals;

(iv) Additional treatments may be required at bridges where existing paths may have an effective width as low as 1.5m (Figure 8.10).

8.79 Agreement will be required for the conversion of a towpath to a cycle track from the owners and frontagers of the land alongside the canal or river. British Waterways should be consulted during the development of any project that may have an impact on their property.

Figure 8.9: Recommended Canal Path Cross-Section

Figure 8.10: Canal Bridges

8.80 Bridleways:

8.81 Routes currently used as bridleways may provide corridors through which cycle facilities may be formed. Where space permits it is preferable to separate the bridleway and cycle track by several metres (Minimum 1.0m) and if possible, by planting. Refer to Figure 8.11(a).

8.82 Where space is limited, adjoining facilities may be formed as shown on Figure 8.11(b). However the surface of the cycle track should be bituminous in order to discourage equestrians from straying off the bridleway.

8.83 Consultations with the British Horse Society are recommended during the development of any project that may have a requirement for a bridleway.

Figure 8.11: Bridleways

(a): Shared Cycle Track/Footpath with Separate Bridleway

(b): Shared Cycle Track/Footpath with Adjoining Bridleway

COMMENTS : CHAPTER 8

Cycling by Design’s prime objective is to draw together and rationalise existing cycling design guidelines into a single comprehensive, coherent reference document that may be used as a source of sound technical advice. In order to achieve this objective it is imperative that Cycling by Design is developed through consultation. Please provide any comments or suggested amendments you may wish to put forward with respect to the preceding chapter.

Comments/Proposed Amendments:

The Scottish Executive Development Department,

Standards Traffic & Environment,

Area 2-E,

Victoria Quay,

Edinburgh EH6 6QQ.

On or before 31^st December 2000.

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