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.