Cycle Trail Design Guide
Last updated:
March 2010
Cycle Trail Design Guide (5MB, 86 pages)
This guide compiles information from a number of existing guides, referring directly to
them for more detail if needed. These other guides provide specific information relating to different components of the New Zealand Cycle Trail (NZCT), whether they be mountain bike tracks, rail trails, urban cycle paths or sections of quiet country roads.
The basis for trail design is the selection of a trail grade, and recognition of the trail criteria that define that grade. This selection will reflect the chosen target audience, from "renaissance riders" seeking easy Grade 1 trails to mountain biking enthusiasts looking for higher grade trails to test their fitness and skill.
The NZCT comprises trails throughout the country and cyclists will form their impression of the NZCT based on their experiences of individual trails. On a well-designed trail, users will enjoy the beautiful scenery and riding experience, without being distracted by design flaws, such as a gap in signage or uncharacteristically difficult sections. Their memories will be of the scenery, the camaraderie and the sense of accomplishment, not whether the trail was too hard for them in places, or they got lost along the way.
The Cycle Trail Design Guide explains the how to avoid these pitfalls, and plan a trail that will be consistent, not only from one end to the other, but also within the whole NZCT network.
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