Cycle Path Inspections on Existing Streets and Roads In 2005 the Norwegian government adopted the National Cycling Strategy as part of the National Transport Plan for 2006–2015. The main objective of the strategy is to make it safer and more attractive to cycle. The main measures under implementation are larger investment budgets, better maintenance of existing bicycle facilities, improved traffic regulations and competence building.
Cycling facilities along the national roads in Norway are a part of the national road system and a governmental responsibility. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration, NPRA, has been given a new responsibility to motivate and inspire regional and local public authorities as well as its own staff with respect to the improvement of conditions for cycling. The target group is towns and cities where the potential for increased cycling is highest.
Why a cycle path inspection? Being aware that the existing cycle facilities are inadequate with respect to accessibility, traffic safety and attractiveness, the NPRA has developed a tool for inspection and improvement based on the already existing system of traffic safety inspections for the road system in general. 25 per cent of existing national cycle facilities will be inspected and improved during the period 2006–2009.
The objectives for the cycle path inspections are • Find deviations, notes and remarks • A better base for planning and decisionmaking • Increase the educational level (knowledge on cycling facilities) • Dialogue between everybody who is or will be involved
Traffic safety inspectors The method is simple. Staff with competence on traffic safety and cycle facilities supported by representatives of different user groups and people from the municipality, inspect the cycle facilities by bicycle and suggest improvements of any kind. The bicycle inspectors have to be experienced and well equipped cyclists with knowledge about the guidelines in cycle planning (handbook 249/2004). They also have to attend a course in bicycle inspections. Such courses started during the summer of 2006 and the whole of Norway are expected to be “covered” within 2008. As mentioned before, Norway established a system of traffic safety inspections some years ago and we have educated (with a certificate) so called Traffic Safety Inspectors. The cycle path inspections are supposed to be headed by such inspectors.
Common findings Small improvements that can be carried out within the confinement of road area are being noticed as well as more basic, structural improvements which need a greater financial funding. Check lists are especially developed for cycle lanes, combined pedestrian and cycle tracks and carriage ways for mixed use. The objective is to make visible improvements for cyclists that don’t take years to plan and implement. It is a systematic examination on • Traffic safety • Accessibility • Adventure And special topics as • Maintenance, winter maintenance in special • Post signing • Road work and so on The most important stretches will be prioritized with special focus on • Intersections and private entrances • Speed and sight • Prevent cycling on the pavement (in Norway it is permitted to cycle on the sidewalk, but new facilities for cycling shall not encourage this)
Common findings so far are bad or destroyed surfaces, dangerous spots, lack of bicycle parking and last, but not least, lack of transitions. Quick improvements of existing facilities are needed to make it visible for the cyclists that they are prioritized and welcomed into the streets.
Lack of bicycle parkings is a common finding when inspecting cycle paths. Winter maintenance of cycle paths is necessary in Norway. An example of destroyed surface.
