Liam Morgan – Bike Highway Delft to Rotterdam

Bike Highway Assignment – Liam Morgan

Bike highway #1: Delft-Rotterdam along the Schie

Statistics

9.2 miles long

Almost 100% percent of the path was lit. About 60% of the highway was cycle track, 20% was stand alone path and 20% was mixed traffic (with or without advisory lanes).

4 Bridges

  • Zweth Bridge
  • Rotterdamse Schie
  • Overschieseweg (we pass by it but we don’t cross it)
  • Rotterdam Bridge

8 Underpasses

  • N470
  • Footpath over canal (Zweth)
  • S114
  • Spaansebrug
  • Giessenweg
  • Train Underpass
  • S115
  • Mathenesserbrug

3 Stoplights

  • Nieuwe Binnenweg
  • Rochussenstraat
  • G.J. de Jonghweg

1 yield to traffic

  • Parkhaven

0 roundabouts

Introduction

The bike highway that I explored was a route from Delft to the Masstunnel in Rotterdam. The bicycle highway begins at TU delft and follows the Delftse Schie canal for a majority of the route. It passed through the towns of Zweth, Kandelaan, Overschie and ends in Rotterdam. It was very easy to follow as the majority of the highway followed a canal and had a cycle track along the road. The highway was fully lit and about 90% of the path was smooth and nicely paved for cylists. As the highway got closer to a town, it was common for the cycle track to end and cyclists to merge onto a road with advisory lanes. This normally occurred in order to save room on small roads through towns

Screen Shot 2017-07-31 at 3.35.58 PM

Figure 1: This is an example of a road sign that helped us follow the bicycle highway. On the way home we were able to follow the signs for delft which eliminated any confusion at intersections.

Google Map

Sections of the Bike Highway

Section A of the bike highway begins at TU delft and followed the Schie canal and ended at the small town of Zweth. We passed under the N470 freeway and most of the route was well lit and contained two way cycle tracks. We biked along the canal for about 15 minutes before passing under a bridge that connects both sides of the Schie canal. As you enter Zweth, the two way cycle track ends and cyclists must merge into the road and ride on advisory lanes. The town also built a footbridge in order for cyclists to cross a portion of the canal without disrupting the bike highway.

IMG_0535

Figure 2: This bridge was built in Zweth in order to allow bikers to cross the canal in town. This is an example of infrastructure that was built for bikers in order to complete the bike highway into Rotterdam


Section B begins after leaving Zweth and was one of my favorite portions of the bike highway. Instead of cycle tracks, cyclists must ride on advisory lanes, however, the low level of traffic and beautiful views made the trip very enjoyable. Eventually the advisory lanes switch to cycle tracks as bikers approach the next town, however, the route still follows Delfweg. There are a few T-intersections along section B, however, cyclists have the right of way therefore a full stop is not required. We traveled under the S114 freeway which is raised to prevent any disruption in existing roads and bike highways. At this point the cycle track also ends and cyclists are expected to travel on the road in advisory lanes.

unnamed (1)

Figure 3: The stretch of road immediately after leaving Delft. Bikers use advisory lanes and the road follows the canal into Rotterdam

Section C begins as you enter into Overschie and travel through the town on advisory lanes. We biked through the town until we reached Overschieseweg. This was one of the few sections that could prove to be confusing for cyclists following the bike highway. The route requires you to turn left, however, it is easy to just continue straight over the bridge taking you away from town. As you leave the town, the bike path turns into a stand alone cycle track that follows the canal. The highway takes us under Spaansebrug and Giessenbaan as well as a bridge that goes over a portion of the canal. All of the bridges and unserpasses in this section allow bikers to continue cycling without any unnecessary stops.

unnamed (5)

Figure 4: The town of Overschie has no biking infrastructure and bikers have to ride on the road with mixed traffic. However, there is relatively low stress involved due to the light levels of traffic.

Section D begins when the cycle track reaches Abraham van Stolkweg and continues under a train line, the S115 freeway and Mathenesserbrug. As the bike highway travels deeper into Rotterdam, the amount of car and bike traffic noticeably increased. The highway crosses a major intersection (Rochussenstraat) and causes bikers to stop and yield to oncoming traffic. Once we reached the G.J. de Jonghweg, the route takes us through the park towards Euromast. This portion of the highway allows bikers to enjoy the park and the view of Euromast without worrying about biking with car traffic.

unnamed (9)

Figure 5: A view of the Euromast during the final stretch of the bike highway

Section E begins at the Maastunnel which unofficially ends the bike highway from Delft to Rotterdam. This tunnel is a bike route that passes under the canal and connects the north of Rotterdam to the south. This tunnel is unlike anything I’ve ever seen and successfully allows bikers to cross the water without taking a ferry. This was probably my favorite part of the ride and being able to experience riding through the Maastunnel was unlike anything I’ve biked through before

IMG_0581

Figure 6: Maas tunnel allows bikers to travel under the water to south Rotterdam. It completes the bike highway and allows cyclists a unique way to cross the water. 

Scenic Views

Conclusion