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Walking and cycling on shared-use paths: The user perspective

Delaney, Hannah; Parkhurst, Graham; Melia, Steve

Walking and cycling on shared-use paths: The user perspective Thumbnail


Authors

Hannah Delaney

Steven Melia Steve.Melia@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Transport Planning



Abstract

© 2016, ICE Publishing: All rights reserved. Shared-use paths are those used by pedestrians and cyclists, either designed for them to mix freely within the space (unsegregated) or with the space allocated to each group by surface markings and signage (segregated). Mobility policy in a number of states is promoting greater use of shared-use paths, but there is only limited knowledge about the user experience, which can be expected to influence patronage. The paper examines experiences of user behaviour and user segregation, drawing on quantitative and qualitative research with pedestrians and cyclists on a heavily used, width-constrained path in Bristol, UK. It has been observed that pedestrians have a modest preference for segregation, while cyclists prefer non-segregation. Both groups exhibited varied, sometimes conflicting perceptions about how users should interact. It is concluded that it will not always be possible to optimise infrastructure design for all users and therefore recommended that the wider context of policy objectives and alternative routes for different user types be considered during design decisions. Whichever approach is taken to segregation, user communities will generally benefit from clear codes of conduct to promote a shared user culture. In the case of unsegregated paths, the separation of flows based on direction, rather than mode, of travel is recommended.

Citation

Delaney, H., Parkhurst, G., & Melia, S. (2017). Walking and cycling on shared-use paths: The user perspective. Proceedings of the ICE - Municipal Engineer, 170(3), 175-184. https://doi.org/10.1680/jmuen.16.00033

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 16, 2016
Online Publication Date Sep 27, 2016
Publication Date Sep 1, 2017
Deposit Date Nov 28, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Municipal Engineer
Print ISSN 0965-0903
Electronic ISSN 1751-7699
Publisher Thomas Telford
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 170
Issue 3
Pages 175-184
DOI https://doi.org/10.1680/jmuen.16.00033
Keywords walking, cycling, shared-use paths, interactions, users, journey experience
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/882068
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/jmuen.16.00033
Additional Information Additional Information : The final, published version of the paper is available on the publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1680/jmuen.16.00033

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