Modal filter
'A modal filter is a feature used to limit through-journeys along a street by certain modes of transport. Modal filters are used to achieve filtered permeability and are part of the toolbox of low traffic neighbourhoods.
In a cycling context, the most pertinent type of 'filter' is one that limits access to just walking and cycling. This can be achieved in a variety of ways; either with just traffic sign restrictions (the 'flying motorbike'sign, prohibiting motor traffic, or an 'Except Cycles' plate on a 'No Entry' sign), or with physical restrictions such as bollards. Even a bus gate is a type of modal filter, allowing free passage by walking, cycling and buses, but prohibiting private motor traffic.
Modal filters can also be achieved very rapidly and cheaply, using concrete blocks or flower/tree planters, including as part of experimental traffic orders used to test changes before making them permanent.
Modal filters are sometimes also referred to as point closures, but we discourage use of terms like "closure" as it presents a motoring-centric view of streets, and can create needless worry for residents and businesses who may understand it to mean the street is being entirely closed to vehicles, when in fact modal filters do not prevent access to property by motor vehicle.'
Defintion from the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Advisory cycle lane.
- Are electric bikes the future?
- Barriers
- Bike Week.
- Bollards
- Boom barriers
- Cycle route.
- Cycling and walking plan.
- Dedicated and safe cycle lanes.
- E-bike market projections to 2027.
- Gearing up for active travel.
- Homezones
- London Cycle Network.
- Low traffic neighbourhoods (LTN)
- Micromobility.
- National trail.
- Pathway.
- Pedestrian
- Pedestrianised
- Permissive path.
- Pop-up cycle lanes.
- Right of way.
- Road traffic management.
- Sustaining walking and cycling measures after COVID-19.
- What should be in the second cycling and walking investment strategy.
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.























