With the requirements for cycle lane design coming under scrutiny, ACO is supporting highways and civil engineers, along with councils and infrastructure professionals, with the launch of the KerbDrain CycleKerb range.
A set of combined kerb and drainage products, KerbDrain CycleKerb has been designed to provide safe and effective drainage specifically for cycle lanes, taking into account all users. The KerbDrain CycleKerb removes surface water without intruding on the horizontal surface of the cycle lane, for a smoother ride, safer walk, and more aesthetically pleasing look.
ACO’s KerbDrain CycleKerb range features a bullnose profile with 60mm upstand, making it ideal for keeping pedestrians safe from tripping or slipping in surface water. Crucially, it meets the requirements of UCL’s Accessibility Research Group (ARG) for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association study, which outlines safe kerb design for blind and partially sighted people.
In addition, water inlets are situated on the vertical face, meaning the surface of the cycle lane is kept free from other drainage components such as gullies, reducing potential trip and slip hazards and making it easier for cyclists to have total use of the cycle lane. The uninterrupted horizontal plane also minimises the risk of heels getting caught. Along with this, the low 60mm height means there is less chance of pedal strike, making use of lanes a smoother and safer experience for cyclists.
The launch comes as cycling in cities is becoming increasingly common, with statistics showing that the number of people cycling increased by almost a third during the pandemic and has shown little sign of declining. On top of this, funding from the government has increased, with £200 million available for councils to improve walking and cycle routes and standards in place such as LTN 1/20 that cycle lanes need to comply with to be eligible for funding. With development picking up the pace, the safety of cyclists, pedestrians and motorists is a top priority and needs to be given adequate consideration. As part of this, water management must be taken into account early in the design stages to mitigate the risks surface water can present to cyclists and pedestrians, as well as reduce the potential for flooding.
Michelle Osborne, Product Manager – Civils & Infrastructure at ACO Water Management said: “The way we move around in cities and towns is changing, and our infrastructure must be updated to meet current and future needs. Water on cycle paths can be hazardous and it is important that any solution makes the space safe for everyone. This is why we have launched the KerbDrain CycleKerb range, incorporating a number of safety features into its design taking into account all path and road users.”
To accommodate road traffic, KerbDrain CycleKerb has a Load Class rating of D 400 and is designed to comply with LTN 1/20 – the standard that cycle lanes must meet if relevant councils intend to apply for government funding. Additionally, KerbDrain CycleKerb has a range of accessories, including those specifically for pedestrian crossing areas, dropped kerbs and transitions, as well as access units and gullies for ease of maintenance.
KerbDrain CycleKerb is the latest addition to ACO’s broader portfolio of combined kerb and drainage products. Highways engineers and councils can use CycleKerb in conjunction with KerbDrain and the recently launched BridgeDeck solutions for a complete kerb and drainage solution that can integrate smooth transitions from one range to another as the project requires.
Michelle continued: “As people adopt more eco-friendly transport methods, we wanted to ensure that there was literally and figuratively a safe path to progress. With the KerbDrain CycleKerb range, each aspect is carefully considered to keep all users – whether they be cyclists, pedestrians or motorists – as safe as possible.”
For more on ACO’s KerbDrain CycleKerb range, see https://www.aco.co.uk/products/kerbdrain-cyclekerb
