Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

Cycling network

A cycling, cycle, bicycle or bike network is the set of interconnected bikeways within a territory. It is composed of all routes adapted for bicycle traffic, as well as all supporting facilities that make bicycle use functional, such as parking areas, repair stations, or bike-sharing systems.

Last revised
Jun 21, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
254 w
Citations
20
Source
Cycling network of Valencia.
Cycling network of Northern Ireland.

A cycling, cycle, bicycle or bike network is the set of interconnected bikeways within a territory. It is composed of all routes adapted for bicycle traffic, as well as all supporting facilities that make bicycle use functional, such as parking areas, repair stations, or bike-sharing systems.1234

Among the objectives of cycling networks are enabling everyday travel, promoting bicycle touring, improving public health, increasing road safety, reducing pollution and noise, and improving traffic flow.1234

The planning of a cycling network should be based on criteria of safety, connectivity, and directness. This means that the different routes should offer maximum safety for cyclists of any age, gender, or level of experience, ideally through segregated cycling infrastructure.1234

These cycling routes must be interconnected and should allow access to key destinations such as educational centers, commercial areas, public transport stations, or residential neighborhoods, covering as much territory as possible.1234

Finally, bicycles are powered by human physical effort, so trips should be as direct as possible and avoid steep slopes.1234

See also

See also

References

References

  1. "Design manual for bicycle traffic – CROW Platform".
  2. Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana (ed.). "Criterios de planificación de una red". Guía de recomendaciones para el diseño de infraestructura ciclista (PDF) (in Spanish).
  3. "Plan Director de la Bicicleta de Valencia". Agencia Municipal de la Bicicleta. Ayuntamiento de Valencia (in Spanish).
  4. Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz (ed.). Plan Director de Movilidad Ciclista de Vitoria-Gasteiz (PDF) (in Spanish).