Bikeway barriers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and comfort of cyclists, particularly in urban areas where cyclists and pedestrians are at risk. They serve to protect cyclists by guiding them away from potential falls over bridges or culverts and help prevent them from unintentionally veering onto roads.
According to the Guide to Road Design 6A, barriers are especially crucial where there is a significant difference in speed between cyclists and motor vehicles – more than 50 km/h – creating a safer environment by providing physical separation.
The question that is often asked is: Why are bikeway barriers designed the way they are?
The design and why it matters
You may have noticed that shared paths or cycling routes feature barriers with a unique curved edge. This design includes deflection rails, which are smooth horizontal rails offset from the main barrier.
Deflection rails are specifically designed to contact a cyclist’s shoulder and elbow, positioned between 1.2 and 1.4 metres above the path, where the cyclist could veer off course and find themselves in a hazardous situation, such as falling over a steep drop or unintentionally entering the road.
This design also prevents handlebars, which are typically around 1.0 metre from the ground, from getting caught in the vertical components of the barrier.
Moddex bikeway barriers
The Moddex family offers a range called Bikesafe bikeway barriers, specifically designed to protect cyclists, particularly those travelling at speed, to reduce the risk of injury from falls or veering onto roads.
With six different configurations available, from a standard deflection rail to a full balustrade system with a deflection rail, the system is quick and easy to install.
Constructed from hot dip galvanised steel, the unique modular design of Bikesafe barriers provides maximum strength, cost efficiency and longevity.
Additionally, Bikesafe is designed and manufactured to comply with Austroads Guide to Road Design, Parts 6A and 6B, and the NZTA Bridge Manual B6.4, providing the ultimate protection for cyclists travelling at speed.
Moddex’s specifiers’ guide: Learn more about design requirements
Moddex has put together a specifiers’ guide that walks you through the design and compliance requirements when working with bike barriers.
Download Guide
