Best practice from East Germany

Half a generation has passed since the Wall fell and while the levels of motor traffic have shot up as Ossis swapped their Trabbis for VWs and BMWs, what was East Germany has lept ahead of the UK in urban design and cycle facilities.

Narrow looking road? Actually it's for cyclists and pedestrians only, part of the regional cycle network. Can you imagine anything of this quality in the UK?

This is the end of a "cycle road" where bikes have priority and in this case the only drivers allowed are farmers and forestry officials. Ahead the path is for pedestrians and cyclists only. Cycle roads are a useful concept where limited motor vehicle access is still needed. While more common in urban areas, they are now being used in rural areas too. They would be useful in the UK where National Cycle Network routes use quiet country lanes.

At the end of the cycle road where it meets a town, there is a dedicated and separated cycle path.

Many country roads in Germany have two separate paths, one of which is for pedestrians and cyclists to share. As a result people of all ages ride bikes.

A wide cycle lane lets cycles undertake queuing traffic safely. The markings are thicker than those used in the UK and are more visible. Note at the front of the picture a parking bay is marked with a gap between it and the cycle lane. With two sides of the road set aside for car parking, the division of the rest of it into a motor lane and a cycle lane is fair.

Road humps are very rare in Germany. Instead natural features such as trees are used to break up the linear nature of roads and slow motor traffic without any drawbacks.

In this town centre there is a 20km/h (12mph) zone. Parking is prohibited except in marked places (as the sign says) meaning no need for the visual clutter of extra signs or the yellow lines that are prevalent in the UK.

Cars travel little above walking pace in this German Living Zone/Yard which is equivalent to our Home Zones but not limited to residential areas.

The town square in Mueritz has been revamped in an extremely attractive way. It is open to those on foot or cycle only.