A new study shows that bike lanes alone aren’t enough. Join the Zero Challenge for safer streets

A narrow strip of asphalt, marked to separate cyclists from fast-moving cars, does not actually represent a true return of streets to people and their natural movement. This tension lies at the heart of the study Excluded by Design: Barriers to Human-Scale Travel Revealed Through Marginalised Groups’ Experiences of Streets, authored by Jonathan Flower, John Parkin, and Ian Walker. The study draws on the experiences of people in Bristol who walk, cycle, or use mobility aids, revealing that even streets designed for “active travel” still prioritize cars over people. The authors emphasize that the most vulnerable road users—children, seniors, people in wheelchairs, and cyclists—continue to perceive urban streets as spaces designed against their interests.

Potemkin Measures

For streets to genuinely support walking and cycling, they need to be functional, safe, and accessible—qualities that remain the exception rather than the rule. Bike lanes are often presented as a simple solution to promote cycling in cities: cheap measures that increase cyclist numbers and serve as proof of progress. However, the study shows that such infrastructure does not guarantee safety or a sense of equality for its users. Cyclists remain at risk on these roads due to poor design, unclear rules, or inconsiderate drivers who ignore the protective function of the lanes.

Off to the Woods

The research situates this problem within a broader cultural context. In countries like the Netherlands or Denmark, the bicycle is regarded as an equal mode of transport, which is reflected both in planning and public perception. In other countries, transport is still primarily associated with fossil-fuel-powered cars, and this bias shapes street designs, budgets, and political priorities. This is also true in our context. For many people, cycling is seen as a recreational activity meant for the woods rather than a means of transportation from point A to point B. In such an environment, bike lanes function more as a reluctant compromise—a narrow slice of space carved out from a system that continues to prioritize cars over the safety and comfort of people.

Cyclists shouldn’t dress as if they’re going to the front lines, says Olympic champion Chris Boardman. Separated infrastructure provides them with safety

Everyday Reality of Mobility

The authors employed the so-called Q-methodology, a technique that identifies groups of shared opinions rather than classifying participants by demographics or mode of transport. Forty-nine participants aged 18 to 81—including people with disabilities, parents, cyclists, and individuals with visual impairments—evaluated statements regarding street design, regulations, and the behavior of road users. Follow-up interviews revealed why participants valued certain features more than others and how their life experiences shaped their perceptions of streets. The research thus provided robust insights into the everyday reality of urban mobility.

Safe and Separated

A key finding of the study is the importance of separating cyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles. Participants consistently reported that sharing space with cars or other fast-moving vehicles induces fear and anxiety, particularly among people with limited mobility or orientation. Smooth surfaces and direct, continuous routes are also crucial, as uneven pavements and discontinuous paths discourage cycling and wheelchair use as practical modes of transport. Participants further emphasized that the behavior of all road users is as important as the design itself—tight overtaking by drivers, cyclists riding on sidewalks, or illegal parking on shared paths reduces the safety of the most vulnerable. The study confirms previous research showing that well-designed, segregated infrastructure, combined with proper regulations and safe behavior, is essential to promoting cycling and reducing the risk of injuries. The Vision Zero goal—zero fatalities in traffic accidents—has been successfully achieved in Helsinki, Oslo, and Bologna through this combination.

Cars as the Default

Yet urban planning in many cities has long prioritized motor vehicles since the 1960s. Even then, Colin Buchanan’s Traffic in Towns report warned of congestion, pollution, and declining urban quality, but the following decades were dominated by traffic engineering that created hostile environments for anyone not in a car. Even contemporary trends, such as shared streets, which bring measurable safety and health benefits, are implemented inconsistently and remain politically contested.

Different road users have different needs

The study’s results show that simply painting lanes is not enough. Streets that genuinely support cycling require an integrated approach that considers design, speed reduction, and consistent enforcement as interconnected factors. Physical separation, smooth and direct routes, and rule enforcement are fundamental, but they must be accompanied by a cultural shift that recognizes cyclists as legitimate street users. Political will and support are equally crucial—from allocating space and funding to actively promoting streets designed for human scale.

Listening to the Most Vulnerable

The study also emphasizes the importance of including marginalized voices in planning decisions. Cyclists are not a homogeneous group: children, older adults, experienced riders, and recreational cyclists all face different obstacles. Listening to those most affected by traffic restrictions or hazardous infrastructure ensures that changes in infrastructure not only symbolize progress but actually deliver it.

Ultimately, Excluded by Design calls for a holistic approach to streets that goes beyond simply adding bike lanes. Streets should be places where people of all abilities can move safely and participate fully in urban life. For cycling to thrive as a common mode of transport, cities must design streets that prioritize people’s movement over vehicle throughput. If you want to support this vision, add your signature to the Call Zero and show policymakers that safe mobility in cities matters to you.

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