Streetscape of future is bike friendly

THE comeback of the bike is one of the more notable transport phenomena of recent times.

City and country people of all ages are taking to the trusty two-wheeler, in some cases forsaking the car.

Studies show a 30% increase, or more, in bicycle traffic in urban areas. And, while noble aspirations to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality are to be commended, the self-propelled method of travelling is also much cheaper, an important consideration these days.

Street planning has always has the car and other forms of vehicular traffic as the priority.

Granted, cycle lanes have been introduced in places in recent years, but there is a long way to go. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has launched a welcome, new design manual that, we’re told, will ‘’significantly alter’’ our streetscapes in the future.

It aims to end the practice of designing streets as traffic corridors, and instead focus on the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. It also sets out design guidance and standards for constructing new and changing existing urban roads and streets, in line with good planning and design practice.

Minister Varadkar said: “’If we want people to travel in a more sustainable way — by walking, cycling or using public transport — we need to make sure that the streetscape will persuade them to take the sustainable option.’’

Latest reports on the property market also show that people are beginning to move back into cities and big towns again, rather than commuting long distances to work, and the bike could be an obvious option for them.

The aim is to improve street design for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users, and to reduce the impact of vehicles, traffic congestion and all that goes with that.

Safety is another critical issue. We hear constant complaints from cyclists about drivers and vice versa, but they should not be natural enemies and surely a way can be found to allow for all road users to co-exist in harmony.

And that’s precisely what the manual seeks to achieve — a better balance in how our urban roads and streets are designed and used and it is certainly not calling for the removal of the car from urban streets.

The manual, prepared by a project team drawn from local authorities, also urges support for historical street layouts and encourages the development of new streets and plazas which are good for business and for tourism. Hopefully, road designers will take note of the document.