For me, definitely, a Dutch style roundabout with a segregated track and priority for cyclists, and a tight enough geometry that it feels safe to use.
OR, a fully segregated cycle track buffered by a parking lane so that people can see that parked cars and bike tracks do mix.
Of course, neither of those is strictly 'innovative' except in the sense that they're considered bizarre novelties in the UK.
would be interesting to see if it happens. I get told so often that it would be impossible here (due to different Dutch laws of physics or something...).
In my neck of the woods, I have found safe, almost (or completely) traffic free routes to local supermarkets, the town centre, hospital etc.
However these routes, like many others are not joined up and seamless, but involve lots of minor junctions, and signing tends to be small direction signs or blue stickers on posts.
The innovation I'd like to see is to change the on-road markings and priority on the junctions etc, to create something similar, but much more ambitious than, a cycling superhighway. The "blue lane" just barrels though, and cycles have priority over everything else. Make the roads access only, and where possible invest in traffic reduction on the roads joining to force motor traffic to stop before proceeding.
Or just dedicate 1 whole lane on urban dual carridgeways to cyclists. Couple this with dutch style junctions. Hmmm
I've just had had an email from my local County Council Transport Officer saying that their understanding is that the announcement "broadens the criteria and adds additional funding to this process." They added that this will hopefully increase the potential for their earlier bid to be successful, and that they will submit a separate bid if "required to".
What was also interesting is the proposed projects they have submitted earlier bids for, with the support of the local CTC and Sustrans, are all rural with no urban schemes proposed. We have our fair share of "crap infrastructure" in our local towns, and evidently they feel there is enough white lines and blue signs in our area, even if motorists don't take notice of them and many cyclists don't feel safe cycling in town.
