These may be used to give car drivers the impression of a restricted width carriageway, so encouraging lower vehicle speeds, but allowing additional manoeuvring room for larger vehicles such as buses. It is inappropriate for motor cyclists to use any cycle bypass facilities. Whilst the chicane needs to exert an effect on the speed of motorcyclists, care needs to be taken that the layout does not place them at risk. The chicane and the route through it should be clearly delineated, particularly any overrun areas incorporated in the design, both for day and night-time conditions. The appearance of the chicane is important, particularly in terms of being acceptable to the general public.
Attention needs to be given to materials.
Planting should be encouraged providing it does not obstruct sight lines. Chicanes are not generally the most appropriate places for pedestrians to cross, but where this cannot be avoided care must be taken that pedestrians, and particularly children, are not obscured by any planting or other features. As far as noise is concerned, chicanes will generate less vehicle body rattle than road humps. However, chicanes may encourage more stopping, starting, acceleration and braking noise, and at times these can create a nuisance. Stop-start movements also may increase vehicle exhaust emissions, though they would have to be in very large numbers to have any real effect.