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• Cycle routes and storage

Cycle routes and storage

There is a network of cycle routes across the city, and the number is growing all the time. Signs and markings principally indicate these routes.

Cycle lanes have been provided on carriageway, on footways either shared with or segregated from pedestrians, or specially designated cycle paths.

For a Coventry Cycle Map and Guide, which shows cycle routes across the city and cycle parking within the city centre, contact the Policy and Sustainable Transport Team on Tel: (024) 7683 1342 or e-mail sustainabletransport@coventry.gov.uk. 

Cycle Map and Guide

Coventry City Council has released a Cycle Map and Guide which details all recommended cycle routes and newly installed cycle infrastructure within the city as well as giving advice on cycling. 

The map is available online at  http://cyclemaps.coventry.gov.uk.

For a FREE paper copy, please contact:

Policy and Sustainable Transport Team
Floor 6, Civic Centre 4
Much Park Street
Coventry
CV1 2PY
Tel: 024 7683 1698
Fax: 024 7683 1259
e-mail: sustainabletransport@coventry.gov.uk

Cycling Features

Some of the cycling features that you might encounter while cycling in Coventry are:

Toucan signals

These are special traffic signals, similar to pelican crossings - they have a red man and green man to show when it is safe to cross - but they also have an extra signal, a green cycle. This means that cyclists need not dismount, but can cross over at the same time as pedestrians.

Advanced cycle stop lines

Within ordinary traffic signalled junctions, there are two sets of stop lines on each approach. The one further from the signals is for general traffic, and the one nearer to the signals is for cyclists. This is to give space for cyclists wishing to turn right to safely change from the nearside of the road to the offside.

Contra-flow cycle lanes

When a one-way street is introduced this causes minor inconvenience for motorists, but can mean that cyclists have to travel much further. A contra-flow cycle lane lets a cyclist travel against the direction of flow of the one-way street in safety and offers a more convenient and direct route.
The problem is that for a safe contra flow lane, the cyclists must be segregated at each end from the oncoming traffic by a road traffic island. This can only be done if the road is wide enough. It may also need to have a parking ban throughout the length of the contra flow lane. This can be difficult in some residential areas with limited off-street parking.

'False' one-way street

This is where a road is two way throughout its length except for a short length of one-way working at one end. This means that entry into the road is banned at one end and traffic is only allowed to exit. To assist cyclists, a short gap allows cyclist to travel past the no-entry signs.

Traffic signage

A full catalogue of traffic signage and road markings can be found on the Highway Code website, which includes those that are applicable to cyclists.

Cycle Lanes

There are various cycle lanes throughout the city and more are being created each year. Some are on-road and some are off-road. Ones that are on-road are usually to the side of the road, next to, or in place of, parking bays and they provide space for safe cycling alongside traffic on the highway.

Off-road cycle lanes come in three forms. Separate cycle lanes are off-road lanes only for the use of Cyclists. These are more commonly used in their on-road form but are rarely used off-road as they are not seen as being cost effective and easily usable by pedestrians. A more common off-road cycle lane is a segregated cycle lane, where the lane of tarmac is halved so that one half is for cyclists and the other is for pedestrians. The most common cycle lane is the shared cycle lane where a stretch of path is made legal for cycling by the provision of signage.

Bus Lanes

Cyclists are allowed to use bus lanes within the city. To find out more about bus lanes in Coventry, visit the Public Transport section.

Contact Details

If you have any questions about cycling features in Coventry please contact:

Cycle Storage

Coventry City Council has increased cycle storage provision citywide in the last 5 years and there are plans to increase this further.

Companies with a travel plan can obtain a small grant to support  the installation of cycle storage for their staff or customers to use. If you wish to access the grant for cycle storage or find out where your nearest cycle storage is, contact Joanne Rainbow, Workplace Travel Plan Co-ordinator.

Contact Details