Strategic Cycle Network for Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire Cycling Network (OCN) proposes a county-wide ‘all ages, all abilities’ cycle network linking major towns, workplaces and transport hubs safe, direct and attractive routes.  It is a starting point for discussions with the County Council and the public about its shape, its benefits and its costs.  Read more about this in our Press Release of 20th March 2017 and see the media coverage we received.

OCN’s proposed Strategic Cycle Network for Oxfordshire

v1.1 Map design: Richard Fairhurst

Primary routes: Key routes with high traffic potential to be prioritised for ‘all ages, all abilities’ infrastructure.

Secondary routes: Routes that would start as signed routes, and be developed into ‘all ages, all abilities’ infrastructure when funding allows or development opportunities arise.

Tertiary routes: Initially implemented as signed routes on existing roads or tracks with minor investment e.g. to improve junctions. Upgraded to ‘all ages, all abilities’ quality as cycling numbers rise or opportunistically when funding available.

All routes: For all categories the immediate priority is to protect the space for future infrastructure improvement.

One page printable version: Strategic Cycle Network map (1 page)

Our proposal was developed by OCN members across the county, based on centres of population, employment and education and practical cycling distances between them.  It builds on the cycle route strategies for Oxford and Science Vale already included in the Council’s LTP4.

We estimate that the 366-mile network would cost £120m to create, over 15 to 20 years.  But the benefits would be £112m every year when cycling rates achieved the target of 10% of journeys.  (note: we now believe the costs and benefits would be higher than this).  Health is the biggest benefit, both from increased physical activity and from reduced air pollution.  Journey times would also improve, both by removing traffic from Oxfordshire’s congested roads and because cycling is simply quicker for many short journeys.

The ‘all ages, all abilities’ would follow the high quality standards pioneered by the Dutch and since adopted by London, Wales, Highways England and an increasing number of local authorities in the UK.  Along main roads, cycle paths would be separated from the road and 3 to 4 metres wide.  In urban areas where space is tighter, ‘light segregation’ would be used to separate people walking, people cycling and people driving.  Junction design is particularly important and cycle routes would continue through junctions with appropriate priority or signals – no more ‘Cyclists Dismount’ signs.

What do you think of the idea of a county-wide network of high-quality cycle routes?  What do you think those routes should look like?  Are there places we should add to the map?  Let us know.

High resolution map only (if used in other documents/webpages, please attach OCN and S4C logos and attribute map design to Richard Fairhurst). Updated version 9 April 2017: OCN proposed Strategic Cycle Network map v1.1 April 2017