Flashback Friday: Going our separate ways…

They might be rather commonplace now around Christchurch, but seven years ago there weren’t too many separated cycleways of any form (Tennyson St being the notable exception). But trials were starting of simple forms of separator like posts and low-rise bumps. This post, originally from Aug 2012, shows what was being looked at…

There’s been a lot of feedback over the years in Christchurch about trying to provide more separation between people cycling and driving, as per the many European examples we see bandied about. A lot of feedback in Share an Idea last year echoed this, and we’ve also had local NZTA research that demonstrated that potential cyclists rated best the facility designs that separate them the most from other road users.

So what does separation actually mean? Well it could be solid concrete kerbs or islands or it could be something a bit simpler like the “paint, planters, posts” approach illustrated in Vancouver. I think the key is that it is something that discourages motorists from encroaching into space for cycling. That could be as simple as a humble raised “rumble strip”…

A trial is now underway in Christchurch to see what the effects of some of these separator devices are on road user behaviour. It’s a bit of a team effort: local consultancy ViaStrada are undertaking the research for VicRoads (roading agency in Victoria, Australia) with assistance from Chch City Council (for the sites) and the University of Canterbury (for some of the analysis).

Two different types of sites are being tried out for starters:

1. Kotare St, near Clyde Rd in Ilam has a fairly tight lefthand corner where motorists often cut the corner. So separators have been placed around the inside cycle lane.
2. Strickland St, at Brougham St in Sydenham has a cycle lane approaching the traffic lights where left-turning motorists often squeeze in before turning.

The sites have started out with just a series of raised yellow “rumble strips”; some vertical posts might be installed as well later. Video monitoring and other observation data is being collected to determine what effect (if any) the separator devices have. Other practical issues like visibility, safety, and maintenance are also being looked at.

Christchurch isn’t the first place to try out these in New Zealand. Timaru, Lower Hutt and Auckland at least have also had a go at some options to put a little distance between parties.

Now different locations will probably require different solutions, and the relatively inexpensive option for one place may not work somewhere else and require a more costly treatment. Hopefully the research can start to see what works for places like Christchurch.

 What do you think of these types of devices? Do you think they help to make cycling a friendlier activity around town?