Shared-use path

Definition

A 'shared-use path' is a piece of pavement that is designated for both walking and cycling usage. Usually this is marked by small blue circular signs containing a symbol of both a person walking and a bicycle.

Further reading about the problems of 'shared-use paths': Shared-use footways and two-tier provision.

Varieties

• Fully shared-use such as on JJ Thomson Ave where the entire pavement can be used for either walking or cycling.
• Shared-use with a line down the middle, such as on the Southern Ecological Corridor (where the pond is) and marked by blue signs with a white line separating walking and cycling symbols. By law still shared-use, but people cycling are supposed to stay 'to their side'. The main problem is that it is still very confusing to most people, and oftentimes this type of provision is marked even on pathways that are too small. For example, Milton Road, Barton Road, Trumpington Road all have 'shared-use paths' with a white line down the middle, but the 'cycling space' is less than 1.5 metres wide and expected to handle bidirectional flow. Clearly insufficient, but typical provision in a country where authorities would rather try and squeeze people walking and cycling together than challenge car supremacy.