Separated Cycling Lanes
Separated cycling facilities - keep on cycling!
The Region of Waterloo has fully constructed its 5 km separated cycling network pilot project with the goal of encouraging more people to cycle in Waterloo Region. The cycling network will continue to be monitored until the Spring of 2021 – learn more about the project below.
About the project |
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The Region of Waterloo has identified, designed and constructed a network of separated cycling facilities as a pilot project. The network, measuring approximately 5 km, includes linkages along University Avenue, Columbia Street, King Street, Albert Street and Erb Street with connecting links along the Laurel Trail through Waterloo Park (see image of pilot network, below).
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Project objectives |
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The goal of the separated cycling network pilot project is to encourage more people to cycle in Waterloo Region and to determine the feasibility of establishing more permanent separated cycling facilities on roads throughout Waterloo Region. As part of the project, continuous monitoring and evaluation will be undertaken to determine the project's impacts on:
In order to improve understanding of the pilot project by all road users, the Region, in partnership with local committees and stakeholders will be undertaking a comprehensive education strategy over the course of the pilot project with the goal of:
The Region will also:
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What does the pilot network look like? |
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Cycling facilities can separated by a number of different treatments including using bollards with or without a curb or planter boxes. They help distinguish the area for cycling from motor vehicle traffic. Different types of separation have been constructed along the network – learn more about the different types of separation below. |
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Update on Implementation - Intersection Markings |
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You may have noticed that pavement markings and different crossing treatments have been added through intersections along the separated cycling network to clearly identify where people on bikes can be expected to travel. One-stage and two-stage left turn bike boxes have been added at select intersection allowing for cyclists to make a left-turn. The locations where these bike boxes have been implemented are listed below:
The image above depicts a single-stage bike box on Phillip Street travelling northbound at Columbia Street West. A cyclist would position themselves in the left-most area of the green box, directly in front of left-turning vehicles. When the light is green and there are no on-coming vehicles, the cyclist would carry out their left-turn. The image above depicts a two-stage bike box at the Columbia and Philip Street intersection. A cyclist would proceed through the intersection on Columbia Street green signal and position themselves in the green queue box (the first stage of the two-stage crossing). When the light in the opposite direction turns green, the cyclist would ride through the intersection and complete the second-stage of the crossing. In addition, some new crossing treatments have been implemented which may be different than what you have seen or experienced before. The following is an overview of those treatments and where they are found. You can learn more about how to use these facilities under “Navigating the Network”. Green pavement markings through the intersection of Erb Street at King Street North, including new bicycle signals for westbound travel. The green pavement markings provide a visual reminder of where a cyclist will be travelling through the intersection, while the bicycle signal in the westbound direction informs a cyclist on when they can proceed through the intersection. Green pavement markings through the intersection of Erb Street at King Street North. Left-turn arrow accommodates southbound cyclists on King Street North looking to turn left onto Erb Street East. The left-turn queuing space provides left-turning cyclists with a dedicated space to wait during a red signal phase without blocking cyclists travelling southbound along King Street North. |
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Navigating the Network |
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To help navigate the network, signage has been added at locations where bike boxes have been introduced, providing cyclists with intersection-specific directions on how to use the new pavement markings. Examples of the signs are provided below: Two Stage Left Turns At the intersection of Columbia/Philip, cyclists travelling westbound along Columbia and wanting to turn left at Philip Street should proceed through intersection on the green signal and stop in the green waiting area. When light on the opposite side is green, proceed through the intersection and into the cycling lane on Philip Street. For cyclists travelling westbound along Erb Street East and wanting to turn left at King Street North, proceed through the intersection on the green signal and stop in the green area. When the light on King Street is green, proceed through the intersection and into the cycle track on King Street Trail ConnectionsCyclists traveling eastbound along Erb Street East and wanting to turn right onto the Laurel Trail should travel to the end of the separated bike lane and turn left into the pedestrian and cyclist waiting area. When the bicycle signal is green, ride through the intersection and onto the Laurel Trail. Cyclists traveling from the Laurel Trail and waiting to connect to the separated bike lanes on Erb Street West should dismount and walk their bike across Caroline Street North. Once across the street, proceed to the separated bike lane. To help understand how to navigate the Bike Box Left Turn, please watch this video (Video courtesy of the City of Guelph)
To help understand how to navigate the Two -Stage Left Turn Bike Box , please watch this video:
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Tips for Winter Cycling |
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Cycling in the winter is very different and can mean that changes need to be made to what you wear, how you ride and when you ride. The following are some tips on how to ride safely in the winter:
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Timeline |
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The Region will continue to closely monitor and maintain the cycling network until spring of 2021, including winter maintaining the cycling network this coming winter season (2020). Traffic counts will be completed to identify traffic volumes, speeds, and travel times along the different streets while the separated bike lanes are in place. The traffic count and travel speed data will be analyzed at the end of the project and compared with data that was collected prior to the implementation of the separated bike lanes. This information will help the Region better understand the benefits and challenges of separated cycling facilities. | ||||
What we've heard so far |
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The Region conducted an initial online survey from December 2019 to March 2020 to gauge the opinions on the separated cycling network by those using it. As part of this survey, users were asked to share feedback on the different separator types as well as preferences and practices regarding cycling. The survey received a total of 1,741 people who participated in the survey which was hosted on the EngageWR platform. A significant amount of information was gathered Participants were asked how they have experienced the separated cycling lanes. There were 452 people who experienced the lanes through cycling, 1,619 through driving and 536 through walking. Cyclists were asked additional questions about their cycling habits and reasons why they cycle. Half of cyclists said they cycled daily or almost daily during the spring, summer and fall seasons and 40 per cent of cyclists said they cycled in the winter. Participants in general ranked the Bollard on asphalt (at Columbia St) as the most preferred separator and the Planters on Albert as the least preferred type of separators. Cyclists most preferred the Bollards on curb (Erb St and University) and least preferred Bollards on asphalt. Participants agree/and strongly agree with the having all the separators be the same type.
Thank you very much for your participation and input! |
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We need your input! |
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User feedback is critical, over the coming months we will continue to gather input and feedback from the users of the separated cycling network and those who interact with it as pedestrian, transit users, motorists, etc. A second online survey is being developed and will be ready in the next few months. We would appreciate your input on to help us to better understand how you would like to see this network revisited, revised or reviewed and future considerations on future promotion and outreach. |
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