Zwolle, Wipstrikkerallee
2013
Prior to 2013, cyclists had to give way to (motorised) traffic on the Wipstrikkerallee, a busy access road. As a result, cyclists were inconvenienced by long waits that impeded their travel times. Giving cyclists priority and introducing traffic lights did not fully address or solve this issue.
The City of Zwolle decided that traffic safety and flow of bicycle traffic needed to improve. The municipality collaborated with both local interest groups (neighbourhood associations, schools, the police, traffic safety organizations, and the Cyclists’ Union) and experts to work on a new intersection design to improve the situation for cyclists, which eventually resulted in the bicycle roundabout.
Motorised traffic has only partial or limited access to the roundabout, cars can either go straight or turn right, but not swing around it.
The City of Zwolle constructed a unique bicycle roundabout at the Philosofenallee-Vondelkade bicycle crossing: motorised traffic has only partial, or limited, access to the roundabout, cars can either go straight or turn right, but not swing around it. Cyclists, on the other hand, may take any direction they like, similar to a normal roundabout. Consequently, the flow of bicycle traffic has been greatly improved. Motorists who use the inner ring road are aware of the fact that cyclists have priority on roundabouts. This principle also applies to this smaller bicycle roundabout, which offers a safe and efficient crossing to cyclists.
1. The bicycle roundabout has no significant adverse effect on traffic flow and/or route choice.
2. Cyclists can cross the Wipstrikkerallee more quickly and efficiently.
3. The bicycle roundabout has not significantly deteriorated the flow of motorised traffic on the Vechtstraat/ Wipstrikkerallee.
4. The bicycle roundabout does not pose any challenges to road safety and may have decreased the overall number of traffic conflict situations.
Verkeerskunde (NL)
Bicycle Dutch (EN)