Utrecht cycling: on a secondary route

Utrecht's main cycle grid consists of wide cycle tracks in smooth red asphalt. But, as usual in the Netherlands, there is also a secondary cycle grid. A secondary cycling route can be a separate protected cycle track but also an on road cycle lane or even a shared service road. The surface can be bricks, concrete tiles or asphalt.

This video shows a route from the busy shopping centre of the city to a residential area in the north, in the former municipality of Zuilen.That became part of Utrecht in the 1950s.

The route is almost 4km (2.5 miles) the average speed is 20kph (12.5mph)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• cycling
• Netherlands
• Utrecht
• secondary
• route
• bicycling
• bicycle
• cyclist
• bike
• biking
• grid
• minor
• road
• shared
• track
• lane
• cycle
• path
• separated
• protected
• asphalt
• Holland
• ride
• riding

[AlSelk]

Very interesting. There are a few places in the states where this is only beginning to happen. We are decades behind. It's getting better though. I remember all to well how it was 30 years ago when vehicular cycling was the only choice as there was no bike infrastructure. It's finally becoming clear that the better the infrastructure the more people chose to use bikes. It's not rocket science, just good old common sense.

[opalyankaBG]

Nice vid, I wish we had so many cycle lanes in Bulgaria!

[hpwb]

nice, I love seeing my town in this way.

I see on the map you live close by and I've done this route many times :).

[FleursChampagne]

Beau travail. Merci.

Nice job. ;0)

André de Montréal

[TemiZee]

I love the fact that you really don't have to compete with the bus at bus stops. In London, cycle lanes go straight through the bus stop, so sometimes it gets inconvenient when you are a little distance before the bus stop and the bus is right behind you..makes you feel as though you are delaying the whole traffic:)

The space for car parking is another excellent thing. Although you have to beware of the doors suddenly swinging open, at least cars are not parked ON the cycle lane. Great planning

[killerrockssm]

Interesting..Thanks for the video. The junctions you show, or the portions that go behind the busstop would likely be considered dangerous to planners and many cycling advocates in the US. As usual, you videos demonstrate that when designed well, everything can be very much safe. I also like the wide bicycle lanes but again, planners and some bicycle advocates would deem them dangerous as cars might use the wide bike lane to bypass cars stopped at a light so they can make a right turn –Severin

[purps45]

You seem to have a lot of "dooring" opportunities where the cycle lane is close to the cars. I guess people are more aware than in the US.