Roads need to be narrower or wider to protect cyclists, says new government guidance

Active Travel England have released a report which states that cyclists are safest when roads are under 3.25m or over 3.9m wide

According to Active Travel England’s review, Critical safety issues for walking, wheeling and cycling(link is external), on traffic lanes under 3.25 metres wide, it is clear to motorists that there is not enough space to safely overtake cyclists. It is also clearer to cyclists that they need to ride more centrally.

At the other end of the scale, traffic lanes wider than 3.9 metres are also safer for cyclists, as they allow for a vehicle to give the 1.5 metres of space that the Highway Code suggests. 

Whilst the risk of collision is reduced at this width, it still might not be wide enough for motor vehicles to safely overtake. 

The guidance states that “lanes between 3.25m and 3.9m should be avoided”, which includes a painted cycle lane, for example, 1.2 meters inside a 2.5-meter lane. 

It also says that unprotected cycle lanes within standard traffic widths are unsafe, as advisory cycle lanes increased injury odds by 34 per cent.

“It might seem like tinkering with history, but not only is shifting lane widths good for helping cyclists stay alive, it’s also good for making places nicer too,” Simon Munk, Head of Campaigns and Community Development at the London Cycling Campaign, said,

“At 12ft 8in or over, it’s easier for drivers overtaking cyclists to avoid a ‘close pass’. At the other end, narrowing lanes to 10ft 8in lanes can mean more room for busy pavements and bus stops, while making it clearer drivers shouldn’t overtake cyclists.”  

The review recommends that either buffers between the cycle lanes and parked cars (either outside or inside of the cars), or removing painted lanes so cyclists are encouraged to ride in a more defensive position. 

This advice is regarded as good practice and will be applied to a £43 billion road building programme across England. 

For the current 3.65m roads, the study recommends that either the centre line should be removed, or it should be split into a 3.25m lane and a 4.05m lane. 

It also says that the “strongest evidence for improving cyclist safety is linked to reducing general motor traffic speed" and recommends 20mph zones in residential areas or protection for cyclists.