Go Bike Home Page

About us:
Join Go Bike!
Contact Go Bike!
Achievements
Meetings
Cycle Rides
Forum
Affiliations
Archive

News:
News & Consultations
Newsletters
Glasgow Cycling Forum
Connect2
Core Paths

Cycle map:
Glasgow Cycle Map

Out on your bike:
Routes & Maps
Learning to Cycle
Cycling Tips
Cycling FAQs
Cycle Facilities
Cycle Shops
Features
Reporting Faults
Donating Bikes
Cycling Links

Go Bike! Strathclyde Cycle Campaign
Cycle Facilities

What types of Cycle Facility are there?

Here we have listed some of the different types of cycle facility that exist, along with examples from the Strathclyde area. Use the Google StreetView links to have a look around at the locality of each facility. If you have any further questions you'd like answered, email them to campaigning@gobike.org.

Most of the photos on this page are from the CycleStreets Photomap. The images from Google StreetView take a few seconds to load up. Please be patient!

Off-road

Cycle track with separate footway - where cyclists and pedestrians co-exist side by side, but on separate surfaces.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: Erskine Bridge, Erskine. View on Google StreetView

Line segregated cycle track and footway - where cyclists and pedestrians co-exist side by side, on the same surface, but with a white line in between.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: Nitshill Road, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Unsegregated shared use cycle track and footway (roadside) - where cyclists and pedestrians intermingle on the same surface, without any segregation.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: Bothwell Road, Hamilton. View on Google StreetView

Unsegregated shared use cycle track and footway (away from road) - the classic "cycle path".

Location: Larchfield Drive, Rutherglen. View on Google StreetView

On-road

Mandatory cycle lane - on road, with solid white line dividing it from the rest of the road. Other vehicles may not enter.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: West Nile Street, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Advisory cycle lane - on road, with broken white line dividing it from the rest of the road. Other vehicles may enter.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: Cumbernauld Road, Millerston. View on Google StreetView

Recommended route for cyclists - on road, with no special facilities for cyclists other than signage. Usually motor traffic will be light.

Location: Southesk Avenue, Bishopbriggs. View on Google StreetView

Exemptions from bans

Contaflow cycle lane - on road cycle lane allowing cyclists to proceed in the opposite direction to other traffic on a one-way street.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: Netherlee Road, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Contraflow cycle track - segregated cycle track allowing cyclists to proceed in the opposite direction to other traffic on a one-way street.

Location: Hope Street, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Road closure exempting cycles - where other vehicular traffic is prevented from using a road as a through route, but cyclists are permitted to continue through.

Photo credit: rightee at CycleStreets
Location: Claremont Street, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Banned turn exempting cycles - where other vehicular traffic is prevented from making a specified turn, but cyclists are permitted to do so.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: Alderman Road, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Traffic Signals

Advance Stop Lines for Cycles - where cyclists get to stop at traffic signals in front of other vehicles, providing better visibility and a head-start.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: University Avenue, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Cycles Only Traffic Signals - where cyclists get to proceed through a junction at a different time from other vehicular traffic.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: Crow Road, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Toucan Crossing - a signalised pedestrian and cycle crossing, usually used where a cycle path crosses a main road.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: West Mains Road, East Kilbride. View on Google StreetView

Grade-separated Crossings

Foot & Cycle Bridge - a route for pedestrians and cyclists to pass over a main road, railway line or river.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: David Livingstone Memorial Footbridge, Blantyre. View on Google StreetView

Underpass - a route for pedestrians and cyclists to pass under a main road or railway line.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: College Street, Dumbarton. View on Google StreetView

Steps

Wheeling ramp - allows cycles to be wheeled up the side of steps.

Location: Arkleston Footbridge, Renfrew. View on Google StreetView

Parking

Cycle parking stand - allows cyclists to lock bike to stand in street for free.

Location: Blythswood Square, Glasgow. View on Google StreetView

Cycle locker - enclosed box allowing cycle to be stored with greater security than afforded with a simple stand.

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets
Location: Rutherglen Railway Station. View on Google StreetView

There are many more photos of cycle infrastructure at the CycleStreets Photomap.

Glasgow City Council has advised that anyone wanting to suggest small projects for improving cycling, such as new dropped kerbs or signage, should send them in. Email les@glasgow.gov.uk and mark the subject "Cycling Improvements". Faults should continue to be reported to RALF. Let us know how you get on!