General Information

1. What is a Cycleway?

Cycleways are continuous cycle routes which are separated, in the main, from motor vehicles and pedestrians.

2. What are the main benefits of a Cycleway?

Cycleways will make cycling safer, easier and quicker for people hoping to commute to work by bike, for children travelling to school, and even for shopping and leisure purposes. Cycleways will also make travelling by bike a more fun and attractive option for residents and visitors looking for an alternative to travelling by car. If more people travel by bike and leave their car at home, air quality will also improve, reducing NO2, particulates and CO2.

3. Will Cycleways really make that much of a difference to air pollution from motor vehicles?

Yes. Latest Sustrans figures show that right now around 12-million bike trips are made each year in Cardiff taking up to 11,000 vehicles off the roads. The estimated health cost savings to the NHS from these cycle trips equates to £699,000. Cycling is also a much healthier way to travel improving overall fitness. Research shows that 52% of average car commutes in the city are less than 5km. This is a distance that can be comfortably cycled in 20 minutes. Cycling home and back in this instance will burn off between 200 and 300 extra calories a day.

4. Why are Cycleways being introduced in Cardiff?

Cardiff's population is projected to grow and in order to manage this growth and help ease congestion on our roads the council has set a target to achieve a 50/50 modal split between those travelling by car and sustainable forms of transport (walking, cycling or public transport) by 2026.Cycling also has many other health and social benefits.

5. Isn't this an unnecessary spend - how many people are really interested in cycling in the city?

The number of people cycling to work has doubled in Cardiff over the past 8 years. There are now 14 to 15 million people cycling every year and the nextbike scheme is one of the most successful in the UK. The popularity of cycling in the city is growing all the time and residents are keen to see safer routes built for all the family to enjoy.

6. Does Cardiff present a different problem for cyclists than the rest of the UK?

In many respects Cardiff is ideal for cycling being relatively flat and consequently it is easier for people of all abilities to get around. Cycleways will make cycling even more attractive to people especially those who are concerned about riding next to motor vehicles.

7. Who can use Cycleways?

Cycleways are for cyclists of all ages and abilities, travelling for any reason.Cycleways are also perfect for adapted bikes which are being used more and more by older people and people with a disability.

8. How many Cycleways are planned?

Plans are currently being developed for five Cycleway routes.

9. Where will Cycleways go? 

The five Cycleways will connect the north, east, west and south west of the city to the City Centre and Cardiff Bay and includes plans for cycleways on:

• St Andrew's Crescent to Heath High Level
• Dumfries Place to Broadway
• Cardiff Bay to Smart Way
• Sophia Gardens through to Llandaff Village
• City centre through to Ely Bridge

www.cardiff.gov.uk/cycleways 

10. If the proposed Cycleways are not near me, will there be more built in the future?

In 2020, the council will undertake a review of the current plan which is published on the Council's website -www.cardiff.gov.uk/activetravel. This will give the public the opportunity to suggest locations for additional Cycleways during future public consultations.

11. When will the routes be launched?

Route 1 phase 1, which is part of the St Andrew's Crescent to Heath High Level route will be completed in August 2019. Other routes will follow in 2020 and 2021.

12.  What work will start on site in March 2019?

This will be Route 1 phase 1, which will run along Senghennydd Road to St Andrew's Crescent. This will then extend up to Heath High Level in the second phase.

13. After Senghennydd Road, which Cycleway will be built next?

Public consultation will take place on the Cardiff Bay to Smart Way Cycleway in the summer and it is hoped that work can start on this section of the cycle network in October.

14. How any kilometres of Cycleways will there be in the city?

When complete, the five Cycleways will provide 24km (14.9miles) of cycle routes. The first phase will included a total of 13 kilometres of cycling space which will run through nine wards.

15. How many wards will Cycleways go through?

When complete, the five Cycleways will go through 16 wards.

16. I haven't ridden a bike in years and want to cycle. Can you help?

Cardiff Council offers free one-to-one adult cycle training to anyone living, working or studying in Cardiff. Training covers all three levels of the National Standard Cycle Training, from beginners through to experienced cyclists.

At the beginning of the session, our trainers will assess your competency level and discuss with you what you would like to get out of the training. They will then tailor the training to your specific needs. More information is available on the Council website atwww.cardiff.gov.uk/roadsafety

Welsh Cycling's Let's Ride programme, supported by HSBC UK and British Cycling, offers a wide range of opportunities, whether you are venturing out for the first time or looking for like-minded people to ride and go for a coffee with. More information is available atwww.letsride.co.uk

Cardiff is a host for one of the world's most extensive bike share operators - nextbike. nextbike is a subscription-based bike sharing system that has 50 stations throughout Cardiff with 500 bikes to rent at any time of the day.

You can register for an account by downloading the app on to a smartphone, visiting their website or calling the hotline.

To unlock a nextbike you can either scan the QR code or enter the bike number in to the app, or via the hotline.

You can find out more information and where your nearest Nextbike station is on thenextbike websitewww.nextbike.co.uk

Planning and consultation

1. How were the routes for the Cycleways chosen?

Answer: The routes were chosen through the development of our Integrated Network Map (INM), which is our 15 year plan for creating and improving cycle routes across the city. The INM is published on the council website viawww.cardiff.gov.uk/activetravel

The routes were chosen to connect existing communities and strategic development sites to key destinations in the city, including the city centre, Cardiff Bay and UHW.

2. Will there be a consultation about developing Cycleways?

Answer: Public consultation on route 1 phase 1 was undertaken from 10^thApril to 11^thMay 2018. The outcome of the consultation is set out the inConsultation Report

Public consultation on Lloyd George Avenue (route 3 phase 1) is currently open and will run until April 12^th2019.

Public consultations on further sections of the routes will follow later this year.

The routes

1. What will the routes look like?

Answer: In most locations the routes will provide a two way cycle track on one side of the road, separated from pedestrians and motor vehicles.

2. Some parts of the routes have lots of existing parking bays, will these be replaced in the locality?

Answer: The management of changes to parking arrangements will depend on local conditions and will be subject to public consultation.

3. What colour are Cycleways, and why?

Answer: The Cycleways will mostly be the same colour as the carriageway, because this type of surface is the most cost effective way of providing a comfortable surface for cycling.

In some locations, such as junctions, coloured surfacing will be used to emphasise the location of the cycle route.

4. Will cycle lanes run through bus lanes?

Answer: There are no plans to run cycle lanes through bus lanes as part of the five proposed Cycleway routes.

5. How will taxis be affected?

Answer: Route 1 Phase 1 (Senghennydd Road) will not affect taxis.

Modelling work is currently being undertaken for the remaining Cycleway routes to assess what, if any, impact they would have on journey times or reliability.

6. Will there be any improvements to existing roads and surrounding infrastructure? 

Answer: Route 1 Phase 1 (Senghennydd Road) will include resurfacing of the carriageway and footways as well as the creation of the cycle track and the junction improvements required.

7. How will the routes be monitored?

Answer: Traffic counts, including motor vehicles, cycles and pedestrians, were carried out to provide baseline data for the routes. Further counts will be undertaken after the routes are complete to monitor the impact.

Safety

1. How will Cycleways improve safety?

Answer: In most locations, Cycleways will provide a cycle route which is separate from motor vehicles on the carriageway and pedestrians on the footway, reducing conflict between all users of the road network.

The 2017 Bike Life survey carried out by Sustrans showed that 76% of Cardiff residents think that cycling safety needs to be improved and 70% believed that cycle routes which were physically separated from traffic would be very useful to start cycling or to cycle more.

2. Will Cycleways be separated from the carriageway?

Answer: In most locations, Cycleways will be separated from the carriageway. In some locations, where vehicle flows are light, the cycle route may share the carriageway with motor vehicles, for example on St Andrew's Crescent. 

3. Will there be measures to prevent conflicts with Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs), buses and other large vehicles?

Answer: In most locations, Cycleways will be separate from the carriageway, reducing conflict with Large Goods Vehicles, buses and other large vehicles.

4. Will cyclists be allowed to ride through red lights?

Answer: Cyclists are not permitted to ride through red lights. However, junctions on the routes will be redesigned to make them safer for cyclists to use, including measures such as an early start green light for cyclists.

5. How are vehicle left turns through Cycleways dealt with?

Answer: Signal junctions will be designed to remove conflict with vehicles turning left.

Measures may include:

• Not allowing vehicles to turn left at the same time that cycles are travelling straight ahead
• Providing an early start green light for cyclists. This has already been implemented at the Sophia Close/Talbot Street/Cathedral Road junction in Cardiff.

Drivers turning left into a minor road across a Cycleway will need to give way to cyclists.

Traffic enforcement

1. What work has been done to educate LGV drivers, taxi drivers, bus drivers, car drivers and motorcyclists about the arrival of the Cycleways routes?

Answer: A publicity campaign will support the building of the new infrastructure

2. Can motor vehicles enter Cycleways?

Answer: The majority of the Cycleways will consist of cycle tracks, which motor vehicles are not permitted to enter.

Costs/Funding

1. What is the approximate cost of a Cycleway?

Answer: The cost of each section will vary depending on the extent of works required, but is expected to be around £1m-£1.5m per km.
 

2. Are all of the Cycleways that are proposed adequately funded?

Answer: Different routes will be funded through different schemes and grants.

Traffic Flow

1. Do the Cycleways increase journey times or reduce reliability for other road users?

Answer: Route 1 Phase 1 (Senghennydd Road) will not increase journey times for other road users. Modelling work is currently being undertaken for the remaining Cycleway routes to assess what, if any, impact they would have on journey times or reliability. 

Construction and maintenance

1. How will disruption be limited for local residents while the works are going on?

Answer: Works on will only be permitted during off-peak times on the busy routes. Noise will be restricted at night time in line with statutory requirements. There will be a point of contact for the Contractor who will be available during the day and out of hours.

2. Who will carry out the works on the Cycleways?

Answer: Following a competitive tendering process, Alun Griffiths Ltd have been selected to undertake the works for Route 1 Phase 1 (Senghennydd Road) 

A competitive tendering process will be undertaken at the appropriate time to select the contractor(s) for other sections of Cycleway.

Linking to other cycle routes

1. How will the Cycleways link to other cycle routes? 

Answer: Junctions will be designed to ensure that cyclists can comfortably join and leave the Cycleways from other cycle routes that intersect the Cycleways and other on road routes which cyclists may wish to use.
 

2. Will Cycleways be linked to nextbike Cycle Hire?

Answer: A number of nextbike stations are already located on or near to the proposed Cycleway routes.

Route 1 / Phase 1 - Senghennydd Road

1. How was this route chosen for implementation?

Answer: This route was chosen as the first phase of Route 1, which will eventually connect the city centre to UHW, Heath and the North East Cardiff development site.

This phase provides onward connections to the city centre at the southern end of St Andrew's Crescent. It provides a direct link to Cathays railway station.

The northern end of the route will allow a direct connection into Cathays Terrace.

2. How much will this route cost?

Answer: This section of route will cost £1.4m, including fees, design and construction.
 

3. Where does Route 1 / Phase 1 go?

Answer: Route 1 Phase 1 starts at the existing Toucan crossing linking Windsor Place to St Andrew's Crescent. It follows St Andrew's Crescent, St Andrew's Place and Senghennydd Road and will provide access from the northern end of Senghennydd Road into Cathays Terrace.

4. What improvements have been made for cyclists as part of Route 1 / Phase 1?

Answer: Route 1 / Phase 1 includes the following improvements:

• Resurfacing of St Andrew's Crescent
• A parallel cycle/zebra crossing on St Andrew's Place
• A cycle track separate from the carriageway and pedestrians on St Andrew's Place
• A cycle track separate from the carriageway and pedestrians on Senghennydd Road
• A Toucan crossing on Cathays Terrace

5. How long is Route 1 / Phase 1? 

Answer: The route is 1km long.

6. How will parking outside be affected?

Answer: The number of pay and display parking bays on Senghennydd Road is being reduced from 104 to 25. Pay and display parking is available nearby on Park Place and in Cathays Park. Parking is also available at the NCP car park on Dumfries Place.

Existing disabled parking bays will not be affected by the scheme.

7. How will existing residential parking be affected?

Answer: The number of residents parking bays will be reduced from 43 to 26. A review of the number of permits issued and a survey of parking demand indicates that the reduction to 26 bays will still provide sufficient parking bays to meet existing demand for residents parking on Senghennydd Road.

8. Will the road be closed while the work is undertaken?

Answer:The road will not be closed for the duration of the works, however it may be necessary to close sections of the road temporarily at certain points during construction, for example to resurface the road.