Cycling tunnel

Last updated
The Tyne cyclist and pedestrian tunnels (270 m), with separate tubes for cyclists and pedestrians Tyne cyclist and pedestrian tunnels. 2.jpg
The Tyne cyclist and pedestrian tunnels (270 m), with separate tubes for cyclists and pedestrians

A cycling tunnel or bicycle tunnel is a tunnel designed specifically for cyclists, and can be an essential part of cycling infrastructure. [1] [2] Due to speed differences, it is desirable that cyclists are separated from faster-moving traffic such as motor vehicles and slower moving traffic such as pedestrians. To make users feel safe, tunnels should also have an open design and good lighting, [2] It can also be beneficial to have an artificial horizon by designing one-third of the tunnel situated above ground level, and natural lighting at the ends of the tunnel. [2] Some tunnels are also ornamented with street art.

Contents

Instead of cycling tunnels, cyclists must sometimes use shared-use tunnels with pedestrians and/or motor vehicles, which can cause conflicts or safety issues between different traffic groups. For example, the Greenwich foot tunnel is a pedestrian tunnel in East London with "No cycling allowed". Having dedicated cycling tunnels, (like the Tyne cyclist tunnel in Tyne and Wear, North East England, which has a parallel pedestrian tunnel to separate traffic) follows the principle of segregating the different traffic groups (such as pedestrians and motor vehicles) from cyclists.

Cycling-only tunnels

The Kerem Tunnel (2100 m) in Israel, the world's longest tunnel for cyclists only pnym mnhrt krm.jpg
The Kerem Tunnel (2100 m) in Israel, the world's longest tunnel for cyclists only

The world's longest pure cycling tunnel (separated from all other types of traffic) is the Kerem Tunnel (2100 m) in southwest Jerusalem. It was opened in 2018 and became Israel's first cycling tunnel, [3]

Examples

Historically, bicycle tunnels have mostly been used in densely populated areas or areas with mountainous terrain which otherwise prevents safe access by bicycle.

Opened in 1942, the Maastunnel (1070 m) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is an important tunnel of Rotterdam's road network connecting the banks of the Nieuwe Maas, with two tunnel tubes for the passing of about 75,000 motor vehicles daily, one tube for pedestrians, as well as a separate tube for cyclists.

The Kennedytunnel (690 m) built in 1969, is an important tunnel under the Scheldt river south of Antwerp in Belgium, with four separate tubes: Two for road traffic, one for cyclists, and one for trains. The bicycle tube is 4 meters wide, and pedestrians are not allowed.

The tunnel de l'Étoile (380 m) in Paris is a former road tunnel that was repurposed as a bicycle tunnel in 2020. It links the avenue des Champs-Élysées to the avenue de la Grande Armée, passing underneath the place Charles de Gaulle and the Arc de Triomphe.

In 2018, the Kerem Tunnel (2100 m) in southwest Jerusalem became Israel's first cycling tunnel, [3] based on a tunnel originally built in the 1990s. It is part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route, connecting the path between the valley of Rephaim and the valley of Motza.

Shared pedestrian and cycling tunnels

While shared-use tunnels are not strictly cycling tunnels (i.e. having a shared lane, or a bike lane and footpath without a non-crossable physical separation), they are sometimes used as a cost-saving measure instead employing separate tubes for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Clyde Tunnel (762 m) crossing beneath the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland, was opened in 1963 and connects the districts of Whiteinch to the north and Govan to the south in the west of the city. It has separate road decks for motorized vehicles and a shared deck for pedestrians and cyclists.

The tunnel du Bois Clair (1601 m) is a former railway tunnel from 1870 near Cluny, France, repurposed as a shared-use bicycle and footpath after appearing in the Southern Burgundy Greenway project in 1999. The tunnel is closed during the winter months (mid-October through the end of March) to protect a colony of bats that live in the tunnel. It takes about 7 minutes to travel through by bike. [4] [5]

In 2013, the Combe Down Tunnel became Britain's longest pedestrian and cyclist [6] tunnel at 1672 m.

Fyllingsdaltunellen (2900 m) in Norway is a shared-use tunnel through Løvstakken mountain for pedestrians and cyclists. It opened in 2023, and runs parallel to a light rail tunnel for which it also functions as an escape tunnel. [7] It takes about 9 minutes by bike.

Cycling in road tunnels

When looking at road networks as a whole, cycling tunnels are less common than tunnels for cars. For example, in Norway there are over 1200 car tunnels, [8] [9] but only a few dedicated cycling tunnels. Whether cyclists are allowed in normal road tunnels varies, for example, about one third of road tunnels in Norway are prohibited for cycling. [9] Even when allowed, [10] normal road tunnels can be both dangerous and frightening for cyclists. [9] Compared to cars, cyclists breathe in free air, are slower moving, and have both limited lighting and protection, resulting in an experience of loud noise, poor air quality and a feeling of disorientation. [9] Road tunnels are often narrow, and not dimensioned (e.g. with a wide enough road shoulder) for safe passing by motor vehicles, especially when unforeseen. Road tunnels may be so dark that even powerful bicycle lights and head torches are not enough for the cyclist to avoid disorientation, resulting in a scary experience for even experienced cyclists. [8]

Rail trails

Railways are generally built with gentle gradients, which can make them well suited for repurposing as bikeways or rail trails. For example, the Devonshire Tunnel in the United Kingdom has a gradient of 1 in 50 (2% or 1.15°). [11] It now forms one of the eponymous tunnels in the Two Tunnels Greenway together with the Combe Down Tunnel.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidewalk</span> Pedestrian path along the side of a road

A sidewalk, pavement, footpath in Australia, India, New Zealand and Ireland, or footway is a path along the side of a road. Usually constructed of concrete, pavers, brick, stone, or asphalt, it is designed for pedestrians. A sidewalk is normally higher than the roadway, and separated from it by a kerb. There may also be a planted strip between the sidewalk and the roadway and between the roadway and the adjacent land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bike path</span> Bikeway separated from motorized traffic

A bike path or a cycle path is a bikeway separated from motorized traffic and dedicated to cycling or shared with pedestrians or other non-motorized users. In the US a bike path sometimes encompasses shared use paths, "multi-use path", or "Class III bikeway" is a paved path that has been designated for use by cyclists outside the right of way of a public road. It may or may not have a center divider or stripe to prevent head-on collisions. In the UK, a shared-use footway or multi-use path is for use by both cyclists and pedestrians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle law in California</span>

Bicycle law in California is the parts of the California Vehicle Code that set out the law for persons cycling in California, and a subset of bicycle law in the United States. In general, pretty much all the same rights and responsibilities that apply to car drivers apply to bicycle riders as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bike lane</span> Road traffic lane for cyclists

Bike lanes (US) or cycle lanes (UK) are types of bikeways (cycleways) with lanes on the roadway for cyclists only. In the United Kingdom, an on-road cycle-lane can be firmly restricted to cycles or advisory. In the United States, a designated bicycle lane or class II bikeway (Caltrans) is always marked by a solid white stripe on the pavement and is for 'preferential use' by bicyclists. There is also a class III bicycle route, which has roadside signs suggesting a route for cyclists, and urging sharing the road. A class IV separated bike way (Caltrans) is a bike lane that is physically separate from motor traffic and restricted to bicyclists only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicular cycling</span> Practice of riding bicycles on roads while obeying roadway rules

Vehicular cycling is the practice of riding bicycles on roads in a manner that is in accordance with the principles for driving in traffic, and in a way that places responsibility for safety on the individual.

A wide outside lane (WOL) or wide curb lane (WCL) is an outermost lane of a roadway that is wide enough to be safely shared side by side by a bicycle and a wider motor vehicle at the same time. The terms are used by cyclists and bicycle transportation planners in the United States. Generally, the minimum-width standard for a WOL in the US is 14 feet. A wide outside through lane (WOTL) is a WOL that is intended for use by through traffic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle transportation planning and engineering</span>

Bicycle transportation planning and engineering are the disciplines related to transportation engineering and transportation planning concerning bicycles as a mode of transport and the concomitant study, design and implementation of cycling infrastructure. It includes the study and design of dedicated transport facilities for cyclists as well as mixed-mode environments and how both of these examples can be made to work safely. In jurisdictions such as the United States it is often practiced in conjunction with planning for pedestrians as a part of active transportation planning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle safety</span> Safety practices to reduce risk associated with cycling

Bicycle safety is the use of road traffic safety practices to reduce risk associated with cycling. Risk can be defined as the number of incidents occurring for a given amount of cycling. Some of this subject matter is hotly debated: for example, which types of cycling environment or cycling infrastructure is safest for cyclists. The merits of obeying the traffic laws and using bicycle lighting at night are less controversial. Wearing a bicycle helmet may reduce the chance of head injury in the event of a crash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maastunnel</span>

The Maastunnel is a tunnel in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, connecting the banks of the Nieuwe Maas. About 75,000 motor vehicles and a large number of cyclists and pedestrians use the tunnel daily, making the Maastunnel an important part of Rotterdam's road network. Building commenced in 1937 and finished in 1942. There was no official opening ceremony, but the Dutch held an unofficial opening ceremony in secret without Nazi participation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subway (underpass)</span> Underpass for pedestrians and cycles

A subway, also known as an underpass, is a grade-separated pedestrian crossing which crosses underneath a road or railway in order to entirely separate pedestrians and cyclists from motor traffic or trains respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in the Netherlands</span> Dutch mode of transport

Cycling is the second-most common mode of transport in the Netherlands, with 36% of Dutch people listing the bicycle as their most frequent way of getting around on a typical day, as opposed to the car (45%) and public transport (11%). Cycling has a modal share of 27% of all trips nationwide. In cities this is even higher, such as Amsterdam which has 38%, and Zwolle 46%. This high frequency of bicycle travel is enabled by excellent cycling infrastructure such as cycle paths, cycle tracks, protected intersections, ample bicycle parking and by making cycling routes shorter and more direct than car routes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycle track</span> Cycleway between a road and sidewalk, protected by barriers

A cycle track or cycleway (British) or bikeway, sometimes historically referred to as a sidepath, is a separate route for cycles and not motor vehicles. In some cases cycle tracks are also used by other users such as pedestrians and horse riders. A cycle track can be next to a normal road, and can either be a shared route with pedestrians or be made distinct from both the pavement and general roadway by vertical barriers or elevation differences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in Canada</span> Overview of cycling in Canada

Cycling in Canada is experienced in various ways across a geographically huge, economically and socially diverse country. Among the reasons for cycling in Canada are for practical reasons such as commuting to work or school, for sports such as road racing, BMX, mountain bike racing, freestyle BMX, as well as for pure recreation. The amount and quality of bicycle infrastructure varies widely across the country as do the laws pertaining to cyclists such as bicycle helmet laws which can differ by province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling infrastructure</span> Facilities for use by cyclists

Cycling infrastructure is all infrastructure cyclists are allowed to use. Bikeways include bike paths, bike lanes, cycle tracks, rail trails and, where permitted, sidewalks. Roads used by motorists are also cycling infrastructure, except where cyclists are barred such as many freeways/motorways. It includes amenities such as bike racks for parking, shelters, service centers and specialized traffic signs and signals. The more cycling infrastructure, the more people get about by bicycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shared-use path</span> Pathway for pedestrians and cyclists

A shared-use path, mixed-use path or multi-use pathway is a path which is "designed to accommodate the movement of pedestrians and cyclists". Examples of shared-use paths include sidewalks designated as shared-use, bridleways and rail trails. A shared-use path typically has a surface that is asphalt, concrete or firmly packed crushed aggregate. Shared-use paths differ from cycle tracks and cycle paths in that shared-use paths are designed to include pedestrians even if the primary anticipated users are cyclists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected intersection</span> At-grade road junction in which cyclists and pedestrians are separated from cars

A protected intersection or protected junction, also known as a Dutch-style junction, is a type of at-grade road junction in which cyclists and pedestrians are separated from cars. The primary aim of junction protection is to help pedestrians and cyclists be and feel safer at road junctions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Safety of cycling infrastructure</span> Overview of bicycle safety concerns

There is debate over the safety implications of cycling infrastructure. Recent studies generally affirm that segregated cycle tracks have a better safety record between intersections than cycling on major roads in traffic. Furthermore, cycling infrastructure tends to lead to more people cycling. A higher modal share of people cycling is correlated with lower incidences of cyclist fatalities, leading to a "safety in numbers" effect though some contributors caution against this hypothesis. On the contrary, older studies tended to come to negative conclusions about mid-block cycle track safety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in Halifax, Nova Scotia</span> Cycling infrastructure in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Cycling infrastructure in the Canadian city of Halifax, Nova Scotia includes most regular streets and roads, bike lanes, protected cycle tracks, local street bikeways, and multi-use pathways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in the Philippines</span> Popular mode of transport and sport in the Philippines

Cycling is a popular mode of transport and recreational sport in the Philippines.

References

  1. "7 examples of stunning and inspiring bicycle infrastructure around the world". Momentum Mag. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  2. 1 2 3 "Examples of successful cycling infrastructure: bicycle tunnels". dtvcapacitybuilding.com. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  3. 1 2 "Riding Through the Hills, From Refaim to Sorek Streams: The New Bike Tunnel of Jerusalem". Haaretz. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  4. "购彩中心 - 认证线路". bourgogne-decouverte.com. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  5. "Voie Verte Givry-Cluny-Charnay-les-Mâcon - Rollerenligne.com". www.rollerenligne.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  6. "Combe Down tunnel has light and sound display installed". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  7. "How Norway Built the World's Coolest Bike Tunnel". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  8. 1 2 "Map of Norwegian tunnels". cycletourer.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Membership". Cycle Norway. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  10. "Cycling in tunnels". Arctic Cycling. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  11. "Image gradient profile". Two Tunnels Shared Path. Archived from the original on 2014-08-13. Retrieved 2014-08-12.