CASA Working Paper 242

Improving Infrastructure and Accessibility Indicators for Urban Cycling Networks: Measuring the Accessibility Gap for Safer Cycle Routes in London using Detailed Infrastructure Data and Level of Traffic Stress

Abstract

Planners and urban researchers need to be able to track progress towards achieving high-quality, safe and inclusive cycle networks. Infrastructure and accessibility measures are suitable for this role, though comprehensive cycling indicators are less developed than equivalent public transport measures, due to the challenges in modelling detailed cycling infrastructure and in considering the needs of different types of cyclists, including more vulnerable users.

In this paper we develop new cycle infrastructure and accessibility measures, firstly developing a classification of cycle lane types based on OpenStreetMap (OSM) data, and secondly classifying wider road conditions using the Level of Travel Stress (LTS) framework. The main innovations here are firstly improving on the standard LTS derivation using commonly available OSM tags and improved junction interpolation; and secondly developing demand-weighted cycle indicators using centrality analysis.

Our results show substantial gaps in London’s cycle network, with inconsistent cycle accessibility outcomes, particularly in Outer London. The cycle infrastructure data is then used to produce a routable cycle network, and this network is analysed to measure differences in cycling accessibility to core services between experienced and more vulnerable cyclists, based on vulnerable cyclists prioritising safer cycle infrastructure. We observe a substantial accessibility gap for more vulnerable cyclists in London due to the lack of provision of physically separated cycle infrastructure in many boroughs.

Finally, the new accessibility measures are validated against travel survey data to assess how closely they correlate with observed cycling behaviour.

Authors: Philyoung Jeong and Duncan Smith 

• Download CASA Working Paper 242 (file format pdf)
• Read the blog post – Improving Indicators of Urban Cycle Network Quality: a Case Study of London Boroughs