The CHIPS project partners have created a four-stage approach to develop cycle highways.
tage 1 PLAN involves planning the cycle highway where the focus is on the potential use of the new infrastructure and the impact for the region. A cycle highway facilitates citizens to move by bicycle from one place to another. It connects residential areas with business districts, city centers or transportation hubs. To determine the right location and make the right connection a calculation of the expected use is needed, taking into account the future developments to plan a future proof cycle highway. The virtual planning tool is one of the useful tools of this stage.
In the second DESIGN AND BUILD stage different criteria are distinguished to design a cycle highway. The challenge is to design the best suitable cycle highway for that specific location. Therefor different criteria such as attractiveness, wayfinding, size and directness have to be taken into account. Guidelines for the infrastructure and best practices of cycle facilities can be used for this stage.
Stage 3 SELL focus on promoting the cycle highways by using different campaigns. Communication and campaigns will help to stimulate (new) cyclists to use the cycle highway. Commuters are the main target group. The engagement of employers is key to reach the commuters and create a modal shift from car to (e)-bike. How do you brand and sell the cycle highway?
In the last stage EVALUATE the use of the cycle highway is monitored to get insights in the effects of the development. Are people using the new cycle infrastructure? There are several methods to collect data about the use of the infrastructure. By monitoring the use the effect on CO2 reduction can be calculated.
