Work in partnership with us to tackle the challenges of congestion, air pollution, physical inactivity, and social inequality, by making it easier for people to walk and cycle.
For professionalsYour support helps to give children access to the training and equipment they need to ride a bike safely - starting a cycle of good that can go on to benefit their health, education and future.
Get involvedThe Sustrans traffic-free routes and greenways design guide provides guidance for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of new traffic-free routes and greenways. It covers key principles relating to inclusivity, design, construction and maintenance and it addresses land and legal issues, planning and consents, and ecology.
1. Traffic-free routes overview
2. Quality standards
3. People
4. Sharing of paths
5. Signing and wayfinding
6. Space requirements
7. Geometric design
8. Path specification details
9. Access to routes
10. Supporting details
11. Maintenance and management
12. Land and legal
13. Planning and consents
14. Ecology
The Sustrans traffic-free routes and greenways design guide focuses on routes situated away from the highway. It does not consider cycle tracks or shared-use footways located within the road. That is not to say that the principles throughout the guide could not be applied to those types of facility.
It was developed under the assumption that its users would possess skills, knowledge and experience relating to active travel.
This guide applies across the UK, although the following national differences should be noted:
The information and opinions contained in this Design Guide are for general information purposes only. This Design Guide is not intended to constitute legal advice. It should not be relied on or treated as a substitute for specific advice from your solicitor.
Infrastructure Director at Sustrans