Ministry of Transport and Public Works

Evaluation of the Delft Bicycle Network Plan

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THE DELFT BICYCLE NETWORK PLAN

The objective of the Delft bicycle network plan is to encourage the use of the bicycle and to make cycling safer, quicker and more comfortable, especially for those who rely on the bicycle, such as pupils and students. It is hoped that cartraffic is reduced.

Characteristic of this network, of which 95% existed already, is its hierarchy. It consists of three sub-networks, each having its own functional and design characteristics: the city level, the district level and the subdistrict level network (for details see appendix).

The city level network consists of a grid of corridors at ca.500m apart, which traverse the entire town and connect to the regional bicycle system. This sub-network with its main purpose to serve heavy traffic volumes links important urban activities in the city: the centre, secondary schools, university, railway stations, work areas, sports centres and recreational areas.

This sub-network serves external and through bicycle trips in addition to internal trips within Delft. Host gaps at this level are caused by physical barriers like canals, railways and main roads. In order to avoid detours and at-grade crossings expensive large-scale improvements have been made (bridges, tunnels etc.).

The district level network has two major functions. It connects various facilities within the district like schools, shops etc. And collects and distributes bicycle traffic to and from the urban network. The links at this level are spaced 200 to 300 m apart. It is assumed that the bicycle traffic flows on this subnetwork are less heavy and that bicycle trips will use it only for shorter distances. Unlike at the city level, capacity is less important at the district level compared to well-chosen location and its fine grain. Its main purpose is to provide access.

The necessary facilities at this level are relatively simple and of o varied nature: separated bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, small bridges, improved Junction lay-out, etc.

The subdistrict level network provides access to premises and serves bicycle trips within the neighborhood. In most cases these trips are short and often made by children. The subdistrict level network is a fine-grained system with links at 100 m intervals. The provisions are very simple and consists of little paths and small bridges, woonerfs, short-cuts etc.. Facilities may often be used by pedestrians as well.

The entire bicycle network plan includes a multitude and diversity of measures, not only referring to the infrastructure but also regarding traffic control and traffic regulations. The implementation of the plan started 1982 and will take approx. 10 years.

In the study period the following main provisions have been made:

• two large bicycle underpasses (Tanthof)
• three bicycle bridges (Delft North-West)
• new bicycle paths totalling 3.3 km
• exemption of cyclist from one-way traffic on 2.6 km
• new bicycle tracks or segregated bicycle paths along 8.5 km of road
• resurfacing 10km of bicycle path.

As will be shown later, the main effect of these measures is not a distance reduction, except to very short trips, but rather a coherent and functionally designed system offering many new route alternatives.