Guidelines for the implementation of bicycle lanes on Sri Lankan highways

Abstract

Bicycle lanes have become an integral part of the highway networks of many countries including Sri Lanka. They are encouraged as a pollution free, economic and healthy mode of transport throughout the world. So it is high time that a proper guideline for the same is introduced taking into account the local conditions of this country. Bicycle lanes are so far introduced to the road projects of Sri Lanka on ad hoc basis without consideration of the proper guidelines such as continuation of bicycle lanes on the road network, intersection treatment, avoidance of abrupt termination etc. Sri Lanka being a developing country with more or less a feudal framework of thinking, there is a social stigma towards the bicycling as a poor man's vehicle. In such a context, how should a design engineer in cooperate this green technology into our local highway projects so the common man can be immensely benefitted and our cities will be left with some fresh air to breath in the coming days of the future? This research was aimed at addressing these issues and finally coming up with a proper guideline to implement bicycle lanes in the future road projects carried out by Road Development Authority.

Determinants, Motivators and Barriers for Utilitarian Cycling in Starter Cities: Case of Battaramulla, Sri Lanka

“…Out of the two studies that have been carried out, a study based on Katubadda-Piliyandala cycling route identified barriers to cycling including design issues related to the cycling path where the non-connectivity of the cycling route, route being blocked by other vehicles, and other motor vehicles using the cycling path for transportation. [32] Another study of the Malabe-Kaduwela cycling route identified the issues related to cycling road design and some of the preferences of different potential user groups in Malabe for cycling promotion, which identified school children and university students as being more likely to consider cycling. This proposed bicycle promotion in contexts such as universities and schools.…”

“…This proposed bicycle promotion in contexts such as universities and schools. [32] Previous studies could not identify planning issues for promoting cycling in Sri Lankan urban context, where under what conditions the modal transportation shift could be a success or why cycling promotion in Sri Lanka is lagging. However, sustainability is widely discussed in the planning process; therefore, it is essential to identify cycling barriers to plan better infrastructure.…”