Bicycle Network Planning & Facility Design Approaches in the Netherlands and the United States
Publication Date: 2016 | Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
This report explores similarities and differences in the approach to bicycle network planning and facility design in the Netherlands
and the United States. A very brief historical overview is provided as context for a discussion about bicycle planning and design
approaches and physical infrastructure “on the ground,” as observed during a visit to the Netherlands in August 2015. Following a
high level discussion of respective design approaches, this report highlights four specific areas, or themes, observed in practice
in Holland that are applicable to transportation practice in the U.S.
This study was conducted under the Federal Highway Administration Global Benchmarking Program (GBP). The GBP serves as a tool
for accessing, evaluating, and implementing global innovations that can help FHWA respond to U.S. highway challenges. Instead
of re-creating advances already developed by other countries, the program focuses on acquiring and adopting technologies and
best practices already available and used abroad. This is accomplished by connecting FHWA technical experts, either directly or
indirectly, with transportation advances around the world and with the people involved in applying them.
The program also provides structured implementation support to facilitate the implementation
and/or adaptation of promising findings in the U.S. context. Ultimately, the goal of the GBP
is to help avoid duplicative research, reduce overall costs, and accelerate
improvements to our transportation system.
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