Shared paths are designed for pedestrians and not cyclists

Stepping along the shared path, Sheet 3 of 4, William Hovell Drive Duplication, Longitudinal Sections MP21, Shared User Path, ROADLONGSECT-202138722-S144C-01, William Hovell Drive Development Application 202138722

People often think that pedestrians and cyclists have the same needs, and one path will serve both. This is not true. The characteristics of walking and riding a bike are different. This conflict of interest makes life difficult for designers. This is most noticeable when the path gets steep. For pedestrians and wheelchairs, “stepping” is advised, but this is not the best for cyclist. The William Hovell Drive shared path illustrates the problem.

Update 2 July 2022 William Hovell Drive DA released

Stepping found along the shared path

After the consultation in 2021, the William Hovell Drive Development Application (202138722) has been released again. The share path is steeper than the road with a maximum gradient of 7%. More worryingly, where this occurs, the path is design with short, alternate flat and steep sections (“stepping”). This will be experienced by the cyclist as bumps and will be particularly noticeable riding downhill.