Stretches of road

The Netherlands are a country of bike paths. At least, when necessary. Systematically and gradually each stretch of road is scrutinised to see whether sharing with motor vehicles is justified (because intensities and particularly speeds of these motor vehicles already are or may be limited). If not, then a decision is made in favour of separation, by means of bike paths or, alternatively, wide bike lanes. With these facilities much experience has been acquired over time. Experience as to what is felt to be safe, fast and comfortable - even though this empirical knowledge on safety issues quite often does not qualify as scientific fact (Limited knowledge of safety effects of infrastructural facilities and Factsheet bicycle facilities (Factsheet fietsvoorzieningen). The empirical knowledge on bicycle facilities, often widely shared, has been recorded as design guidelines in a general manual on traffic facilities within urban areas (Bicycle traffic in the new ASVV 2004 (Fietsverkeer in de nieuwe ASVV 2004)) and a dedicated manual for bicycle facilities (New Ontwerpwijzer voor fietsvriendelijke infrastructuur). Classifying roads, with special emphasis on attempts to create residential areas that are as large as possible (with 30 km/h speed limits), where sharing is well feasible, is therefore a crucial element (30km/h areas: domain of pedestrians and cyclists? (30 km-uur-gebieden: domein voor voetgangers en fietsers?)). Lately there is increasing attention to how principal bicycle routes with right of way can be designed through 30 km/h areas by means of bicycle streets (Fietsberaad publication 6. Bicycle streets in principal bicycle routes; practical applications (Fietsberaad publicatie 6. Fietsstraten in hoofdfietsroutes; Toepassingen in de praktijk)). The so-called ‘grey’ roads always cause most debate: roads with both a distinct residential aspect as well as a distinct arterial function ('Grey roads' and how to handle these). For stretches of road requiring separation, the issue is quite often how wide the bicycle paths or lanes should be or rather - in view of limited space - how narrow (Width of bicycle paths (Breedte van fietspaden) and Width and other aspects of bicycle lanes (Breedtes en andere aspecten van fietsstroken).