Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
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Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
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Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#2Quite a good insight. The Dutch design for the motorist last. Hence cycling is prevalent.
Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#3The future of transportation is; separate different modes of transportation as much as possible.
When I was younger, I was regularly biking in between the car lanes( sometimes very risky ), skipping the bicycle paths since they were much slower or simply missing. I would almost always get there before I would with a car or a bus, and parking wasn't a problem. If the lanes were completely separated this could be done safely.
From my experience the roundabouts where the bicycle lane isn't separated, are the least safe for bicyclists, out of any type of intersection. I think the cause is that apart from normal intersections with stop signs or lights, where stopping is the usual procedure, the roundabouts are fluid where drivers stop much less and thus "prefer" not to stop or just think they have the right of way.
Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#4It's not just the roads, it's the whole infrastructure. I live in a modern estate (cira 1990); from here I can cycle to three town centers within 15-20 minutes. Our local shopping center is 5 minutes cycle, or 7-8 minutes by car.
My wife cycles to work, and takes our 15 month old to daycare on her bike. Next year I'll be able to cycle too. Can't wait :)
Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#5This is how to do it. Clean separation of road vehicles from bikes, none of this painted line in the parking lane nonsense. Engineer for the most vulnerable, give space for everybody.
Even as a driver, this is how I want things to be.
Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#6The future of transportation is; separate different modes of transportation as much as possible. When I was younger, I was regularly biking in between the car lanes( sometimes very risky ), skipping the bicycle paths since they were much slower or simply missing. I would almost always get there before I would with a car or a bus, and parking wasn't a problem. If the lanes were completely separated this could be done…
Just as important as junction design is driver education. In the Netherlands they focus very hard on driving safely with respect to cyclists. A big part of that is indeed roundabouts. An average driving course will make you practice driving safely on different types of roundabouts many many times, and the main focus is on avoiding accidents with cyclists. This is important because on most roundabouts the cyclists do have priority when they are going around the roundabout over a car who is leaving or entering the roundabout, and cyclists will take that priority without a second thought because they know that the driver will stop as he/she should.
This also means that it can be hard to pass a driving exam for foreigners who already have a drivers license in their home country. I know several people who have failed the exam multiple times despite driving for years in their home country.
Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#7The future of transportation is; separate different modes of transportation as much as possible. When I was younger, I was regularly biking in between the car lanes( sometimes very risky ), skipping the bicycle paths since they were much slower or simply missing. I would almost always get there before I would with a car or a bus, and parking wasn't a problem. If the lanes were completely separated this could be done…
Roundabouts differ wildy in design, sometimes a separate bike path is better and sometimes its better to be unseparated. In my experience (I've biked in several European countries) the most important parts of unseparated roundabout biking is to take the lane (to reduce the right-hook risk) and signal clearly.
About the video; the thing that sets Netherlands (and Denmark, IIRC) is that bike lanes have right-of-way. Separating bike traffic into a generally slower infrastructure, and then slowing it down further by giving cars right-of-way is contraproductive - if the goal is to increase biking.
Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#8Amusing no one wears helmets.
Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#9Amusing no one wears helmets.
I've heard serious arguments to the effect that the American insistence on helmets for cyclists deters cycling.
Re: Junction design in the Netherlands [video]
#10Amusing no one wears helmets.
Why would they need to when the biggest danger factor (cars) is removed as a threat?