Fundamentals of Planning & Design for Cycling

Industry Training Courses - Fundamentals Cycling

Do you know the answer to these questions?

• What are FOUR ways to count cycle numbers?
• What is the IHT 5-Step Hierarchy for Cycling?
• What are FOUR reasons for increasing the width of cycle lanes beyond the desirable minimum of 1.5 m?
• What signs/markings should you use on a shared path?
• What are the SIX Elements of Intersection Continuity for cycling?

If you are not sure of the answers to all of these questions, then come along to one of our courses to find out...

ViaStrada runs a series of award-winning one-day courses to introduce the principles of planning and design for cycling in New Zealand. The courses are aimed at anybody planning, designing or reviewing roads or other facilities that will be used by cyclists. This includes planners, road and traffic engineers and managers, road safety practitioners, decision makers and cycling advocates.

The course was developed in conjunction with Land Transport NZ and Transit NZ (now the NZTA) to meet the needs of the NZ transportation industry. Attendee numbers are ususally limited to 25 to ensure that there are opportunities for questions and discussion throughout the course.

Generally, two instructors deliver each course, giving course participants a wide range of knowledge and experience, and a variety of presentation styles to keep things interesting. Instructors are usually ViaStrada directors Axel Wilke and Andrew Macbeth, although from time to time, other instructors assist with the course, including Glen Koorey, a transport lecturer from the University of Canterbury.

Tim Hughes (Senior Engineer, NZTA) says: "When I travel around New Zealand, I can see the basic skills taught in this training course being applied to an increasing number of projects". The course, including this quote from Tim Hughes, has been profiled in Land Transport News and is available on the Land Transport NZ website (page 6).

Anybody involved in land transport should consider taking this course, from the new graduate to the engineer with 20+ years experience. More details about the target audience are on a separate page. To date, over 700 people have attended the fundamentals course.

Please contact Helen Woodhouse for further information or for registration of interest. Future courses may not go ahead if there is insufficient demand.

Note that there is also Advanced training available.

2010 Courses

Course Evaluation

Since the beginning of 2007, delegates have rated the course as follows:

Fundamentals Course Evaluation Since 2007

The following quotes are from the course evaluation forms:

"I think this course should be integrated more widely into transportation industry functions /university papers. As an engineer I think that more awareness is required from engineers (and particularly decision-makers), particularly from non-cyclists." - Traffic engineering consultant, Napier course, October 2007

"This course was highly recommended - it certainly lived up to my expectations. Huge amount of information covered - some I didn't need but interesting nonetheless." - Road safety co-ordinator, Napier course, October 2007

"Excellent, thought provoking day. First class!" - RCA planning team leader, Christchurch course, September 2007

"Very informative and is value for money" - RCA engineer, Dunedin course, August 2007

"Could have more on implementation, but was exactly what I was looking for and expecting" - Dunedin course, August 2007

"Great course - very useful" - Cycling advocate, Dunedin course, August 2007

"I would recommend that any Road Safety Coordinator at any stage in their role goes on the course (it is but one day out of the office!), and to urge their engineering and travel planning colleagues to go too." - Road safety coordinator

"Appreciate you guys coming over to the West Coast. Represents start of new thinking." - RCA engineer, Greymouth course, August 2007

"Very useful. A good summary of the field in NZ from beginning to end." - Transit engineer, Auckland 2008

Course Outline

For a copy of the course notes and the PowerPoint shows, please refer to our Fundamentals project page.

Section 1: Introduction

• Introductions, housekeeping and course outline
• Relationship of Course Material to NZ Supplement to Austroads Part 14 and Cycle Network and Route Planning Guide (CNRPG)

Section 2: Meeting Cyclists’ Needs

• Taking Cycling Seriously
• The Five Main Requirements
• Crashes and Road Danger Reduction

Section 3: Planning for Cycling

• Networks or problem-fixing?
• Data gathering options
• Treatment selection
• The five-step hierarchy
• Public consultation processes

Section 4: Cycling between Intersections

• Cycling on roads with no specific provision
• Cycle lanes
• Cycle paths along roads and away from roads
• Other useful on-road facilities
• Bridges and tunnels
• Making space for cycle facilities including case studies

Section 5: Cycling through Intersections

• The six elements of cycle continuity
• Cycle-friendly intersections without cycle provisions
• Bypasses
• Path crossings
• Signal control
• Roundabouts

Section 6: Putting it all together

• Creating a practical implementation plan
• NZTA funding criteria
• Simplified cycling procedures
• Typical costs and benefits

Bouquets and Brickbats (a visual interlude)

• Good and bad examples
• Discussion
• Wrap-up

Auckland March 2008