Supply planning for bicycle traffic in topographically moving areas - A contribution to the question of expediency

Abstract

Political decision-makers at the municipal level often consider the planning of bicycle traffic services in topographically mobile settlement areas to be inappropriate. The reason for this is the fear that, due to the differences in altitude that have to be overcome, the acceptance of a cycling network will be limited and that the investments will be offset by relatively low benefits. This may overlook the fact that the new generation of gears makes it easier to negotiate inclines and greater gradients than in the past. The main objective of this paper is to present the improved conditions of use of bicycles in topographically moving urban areas due to the new generation of gear shifters. The recommendations and regulations for bicycle traffic planning omit questions and references to the expediency of a supply planning in moving topography until today, so that in the context of this work a suggestion is made, how the recommendations for bicycle traffic facilities (ERA) can be supplemented. In the method developed here, the basis for determining the appropriateness of a supply planning is the performance capabilities (climbing ability, speed) of design cyclists and a differentiated recording of the gradient conditions in the potential cycling network. These analysis data are used to determine the driving and pushing shares of a bicycle network as well as the speeds of the design cyclists on the routes of the network, from which in turn the expediency of a supply planning is derived. The planning area Remscheid-Lüttringhausen was investigated using the methodology described. According to the assessment of the local political decision-makers, this area is considered to be less suitable for bicycle traffic. However, the analyses and evaluations carried out show that supply planning for bicycle traffic can certainly be expedient.

This Abstract was translated from German with deepL and could be faulty.