Cycling on Rural Roads

Abstract

Providing bicycle facilities on rural roads is challenging due to the high vehicle speeds (generally with speed limits of 70km/h or above) and often physical constraints of the road reserve. International guidelines and practice in 'cycling' countries such as the Netherlands and the UK provide cyclists with paths separated from high speed traffic. A summary of international practice is provided in Table 1. In Australia and New Zealand guidelines and practices for higher speed roads vary between jurisdictions. However, the majority of jurisdictions are providing more off-road paths along urban motorways and generally sealed shoulders along high speed rural roads. The NSW Bicycle Guidelines are focused primarily on providing guidance for the design of cycling facilities in urban environments.