Galway Cycling Campaign -Feachtas Rothaiochta na Gaillimhe

Road Narrowings and Pinch Points

An Information Sheet

What's the issue?

Road narrowings and pinch points are a source of concern to many cyclists [1] .  This is especially the case on roads with fast moving and/or heavy traffic.  At many locations motorists will treat cyclists as an obstacle to be overtaken at all costs.  This can result in either aggressive overtaking manoeuvres prior to the narrowing or close proximity overtaking within the feature.  Narrowings such as footway build-outs or central islands may be applied as part of pedestrian crossing installations.  Alternatively they may be applied as a speed-reducing feature in traffic calming schemes.   There is a strong argument that in the latter application the main speed-reducing factor is the presence of cyclists in the traffic stream.  In effect the cyclist is being used as the traffic-calming feature, this is obviously viewed as unacceptable by cycling advocates.  Of the two features central islands are by far the most unpopular.  The problem seems to stem from the fact that at central island locations motor traffic is forced in on top of cycle traffic.  At build-outs the cyclist has more choice about how he/she joins the main traffic stream. 

Pedestrian crossings.

Footway build-outs may be used as part of signalised pedestrian crossing installations.  The intent of this type of use seems to be to reduce the delay felt by motorists while pedestrians cross [2] .  However this use is questionable, there is no advantage for pedestrians, who still have to walk the same distance, while cyclists may feel inconvenienced and endangered by the installation.  An emphasis on reducing motorist delay is inconsistent with a stated official desire to reduce reliance on private cars.  This type of treatment may be appropriate where persistent car parking is obscuring the crossing, however this is a site-specific consideration.  

Examples in Galway

In the city examples of cyclist-hostile traffic island installations are found on the Headford road at the Shopping centre, at Galway Crystal and on Taylors hill (Ardilaun Hotel).  Particular problems have been created by build-outs/islands at some village gateway schemes at rural locations.   The GCC has been raising this issue since 1998 but has yet to receive any response from Galway Corporation.  On a more positive note, Galway County Council shares our concerns and is actively seeking alternative solutions for rural locations.

Design guidance

Adequate "running lane widths" are needed.   Central island installations should not be used unless there is a clear pedestrian crossing requirement or a cycle track crossing is required.  At locations where central refuges are being used a running lane width of at least 4.5 m is needed to allow adequate overtaking space.  Gaps of intermediate width and especially in the range 3.1-3.9m should be avoided [3] .  On lightly trafficked roads with low speeds (<30mph) a gap of 3m is said to be acceptable as motorists will tend to wait behind cyclists.  However, at some sites motorists may try to race cyclists for the gap, this behaviour is complicated by the tendency of some motorists to significantly underestimate cycling speeds.  Accordingly, if the pinch point is being applied as part of a "traffic calming" scheme additional speed reducing measures such as speed ramps or cushions should also be used in advance of the feature.  If bypasses are provided they must follow a "straight through" layout and be at the same level as the carriageway.  Carefully sited and adequate drainage is necessary as well as an increased commitment to sweeping and maintenance.  

Turning reservoirs

A turning reservoir might be considered to be a special kind of central island, in that waiting vehicles represent a transient pinch point.  The Galway Cycling Campaign has not obtained/developed guidance for these locations.  However it seems reasonable to assume that the same concerns regarding appropriate running lane widths would apply at these sites.

Advice for cyclists

The standard advice for cyclists who encounter road narrowings is that they should adopt the primary cycling position in the centre of the lane [4] .  This helps to deter motorists from overtaking within the gap while the cyclist has more room for evasive action in the event of a following motorist trying anything dangerous.   However be prudent and plan your approach well in advance, particularly on faster roads and at night.  If there is only one following vehicle it may be less hassle to stop pedalling briefly and let it past.  It might be possible to facilitate and reinforce cyclists' right to protect themselves such as by marking cycle logos in the centre of the lane.  The Galway Cycling Campaign is also seeking an additional road sign emphasising that an overtaking ban also precludes motorists from attempting to overtake cyclists.  

© Galway Cycling Campaign, February 2001

The Galway Cycling Campaign can be contacted c/o the One World Centre, The Halls, Quay St, Galway