Cycle Facilities

Glasgow City Council have advised that anyone with suggestions for small projects that might improving cycling, such as new dropped kerbs or signage, should  email them in to them to this address, marking the subject ‘Cycling Improvements’. If you have any success be sure to let us know!

Faults should continue to be reported by telephone or via the MyGlasgow app.

What types of Cycle Facility are there?

Off-road

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

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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. (See On the origins of shared use)

Cyclestreets photomap image

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”.

Cyclestreets photomap image

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets

Location: Gleniffer Avenue, Glasgow.
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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

Photo credit: timbo at CycleStreets

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. Also known as ‘filtered permeability’.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets

Location: West Mains Road, East Kilbride.
View on Google StreetView

Grade-separated Crossings

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

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

Photo credit: andypreece at CycleStreets

Location: Motherwell Road, Hamilton.
View on Google StreetView

Parking

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

Cyclestreets photomap image

Photo credit: timbo at CycleStreets

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.

Cyclestreets photomap image

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. There is also a more comprehensive listing of cycle infrastructure terms in the Cycling Embassy’s Dictionary.