A shared path or shared use path is a pathway designed for the use of both pedestrians & cyclists.
Australian Road Rules
The Australian Road Rules define a shared path as "an area open to the public (except a separated footpath) that is designated for, or has as one of its main uses, use by both the riders of bicycles and pedestrians, and includes a length of path for use by both bicycles and pedestrians beginning at a shared path sign or shared path road marking and ending at the nearest of the following—:
(a) an end shared path sign or end shared path road marking;
(b) a no bicycles sign or no bicycles road marking;
(c) a bicycle path sign or bicycle path road marking;
(d) a road (except a road related area);
(e) the end of the path.
Austroads Glossary of Terms
The Austroads Glossary of Terms defines a shared path is a paved area particularly designed (with appropriate dimensions, alignment and signing) for the movement of cyclists and pedestrians.
Austroads Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice
The 'Austroads Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice' defines a Shared Use Path as a path open to the public that is designated for, or has as one of its main uses, use by both cyclists and pedestrians, but does not include a separated footpath or a footpath adjacent to a road.
Austroads recommends the following path widths.
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Signage
It is important that a shared path be signed as such, as in a number of states bicyclists are not allowed on footpaths unless they are under 12 years of age or are accompanying a rider under 12 years of age.
Related Pages
Collaborators
The following people have indicated (via the Local Government Collaboration Topics Survey) that they have an interest and/or expertise in the topic of 'shared paths' and are willing to collaborate with their peers at other councils to identify challenges and resources relating to the topic and to look for ways to work together to overcome any challenges that are identified.
- Colm Connolly (City of Yarra) EL
- Johnathon Roach (Open Spatial) EL
Contributors
The following site members have contributed to this page: