Are you planning to install public washrooms along a cycling route or a multi-use trail?
The growing popularity of cycle tourism and active travel is leading local governments and designers to view cycling routes as integrated infrastructure, where the route itself must be supported by services that make the journey safer, more accessible and comfortable.
Particularly along rural routes, natural trails and long-distance cycling routes, public washrooms play an essential role. Their design requires a careful consideration of their location, available utility connections, expected visitor number, maintenance arrangements and their impact on the surrounding landscape.
At SANO2 Solutions, we specialize in the design and installation of public washrooms and we support municipalities, designers and infrastructure managements in developing self-cleaning solutions, precast units and fully autonomous systems suitable even for locations where utility connections are not available.
In this guide, we examine the key criteria for selecting, designing and positioning public washrooms along cycling routes and multi-use trails.
A GUIDE TO THE DESIGN OF PUBLIC WASHROOMS FOR CYCLING ROUTES AND MULTI-USE TRAILS
What role do public washrooms play in active travel?
A cycling route is more than just the path itself. It also includes the infrastructure that make it accessible, functional and enjoyable over time. Rest areas, visitor information centres, water refill stations, charging stations and public washrooms all contribute to making a route genuinely usable.
Public washrooms are particularly important for people making long-distance journeys, families travelling with children, older people and users with specific accessibility needs. They also play an important role in everyday mobility, especially near railway stations, parks and peri-urban cycling routes.
A well-distributed service network encourages longer visits and strengthens the connection between cycling routes, urban areas, welcome facilities and points of interest along the way.
EuroVelo is the European network of long-distance cycling routes developed by the European Cyclists’ Federation. It connects routes across the continent and provides a valuable reference even for the planning of national and regional cycling networks, by setting out shared principles for infrastructure, services, management and the overall visitor experience. The EuroVelo Development Guide can therefore serve as a useful framework for planning cycling routes as integrated systems, ensuring that the route and the services supporting it are considered together rather than as separate elements.
Read the EuroVelo Development Guide
Where should public washrooms be installed along a cycling route?
The location of public washrooms should be determined by analysing visitor flows and identifying the places where people naturally stop along the route. The most suitable locations generally include:
- Rest areas and scenic viewpoints;
- Parking lots and railway stations;
- Visitor centres and information points;
- Parks, picnic areas and bike hire stations;
- Active travel hubs.
Whenever possible, public washrooms should be integrated with other services. Bringing several functions together increases the usefulness of the area, simplifies maintenance and contributes to a greater sense of safety.
There is no single distance between public washrooms that is suitable for every multi-use trail. The appropriate spacing depends on the length of each section, expected visitor numbers, route difficulty, the proximity of urban areas and the availability of existing services.
Before installing new facilities, it is therefore advisable to assess whether museums, railway stations, sports centres, public buildings or visitor facilities already contribute to the network of available services.
The EuroVelo guidance on rest areas also recommends concentrating multiple services at strategic locations, with facilities designed according to the importance of each site and the characteristics of the route.
How to design an active travel hub?
In the busiest locations, rest areas can be developed into true active travel hubs, bringing together multiple services within a single, easily identifiable space.
Alongside public washrooms, these hubs can include water refill stations, cycle parking lots, covered shelters, e-bike charging stations, bicycle repair stations, lockers, picnic tables, seats and recycling facilities.
Maps, information panels and Qr Codes can provide details about the route, public transport connections and places of interest along the way.
The design of the hub can also enhance safety by providing well-defined access points and adequate lighting, while arranging the various facilities to avoid hidden or poorly supervised areas. Depending on the location and the needs of local governments, the project may also include CCTV systems, access control and emergency call points.
SANO2 provides modular structures that make it possible to integrate public washrooms, cycle shelters, visitor information points, kiosks and technical rooms within a single project, with the flexibility to expand the facilities over time.
Which type of public washrooms should you choose?
Choosing the most suitable type of public washroom depends primarily on the availability of water, electricity and sewer connections, the expected level of use, the frequency of maintenance operations and the ease with which the site can be accessed for servicing.
Regardless of the solution adopted, the facility should provide accessibility, hygiene, privacy and safety, together with effective ventilation, adequate lighting and durable materials capable of withstanding intensive use.
Three main design scenarios can be identified.
Case 1: installation within existing buildings
When visitor centres, information points or other service buildings are already available along the route, an indoor self-cleaning washroom can be integrated into the existing structure, avoiding the need for additional buildings.
One example is the SANO2 project in the Menotre Valley, within the Municipality of Foligno. The self-cleaning public washrooms were installed inside buildings developed as part of a wider landscape enhancement project, where visitor facilities, information centres and other services support people along the route. The project demonstrates how automation can enhance existing facilities, ensuring consistently high hygiene standards and accessibility without introducing new structures into the natural landscape.
Discover the SANO2 project in Foligno
Case 2: A freestanding unit where utility connections are available
When utility connections are available but no suitable buildings exist, a freestanding precast unit can be manufactured off-site and installed directly in its final location, reducing on-site construction works.
The unit can include one or more public washroom cubicles together with storage areas, technical rooms and visitor information centres.
The installations delivered by SANO2PAQUET in Dijion, along the Alice Milliat Promenade on the shores of Lake Kir, combines a public washroom with a dedicated cycle service station, creating a single service hub for park visitors and active travel users.
Discover the SANO2PAQUET project in Dijion
Case 3: Autonomous solutions where utility connections are unavailable
In remote natural areas or locations far from the urban centres, connecting to public utilities may be either impractical or too expensive. In these cases, autonomous public washrooms can provide an effective solution, independently managing water supply, energy and wastewater without relying on public utility networks.
In any case, the most appropriate solution should be selected according to the required level of autonomy, the expected number of users, the frequency of emptying operations and the accessibility of the site for maintenance personnel.
When utility connections are available and visitor numbers are high, a self-cleaning washroom connected to the mains generally provides greater continuity of service. Autonomous systems are more suitable where connecting to public utilities would require disproportioned infrastructure works or have an excessive impact on the surrounding area.
How can public washrooms be integrated into natural or urban environments?
A public washroom installed along a cycling route is also an architectural feature. Its materials, colours, proportions and external appearance should therefore be carefully integrated into the surrounding environment.
In natural settings it is essential to minimize visual impact and ensure that the facility blends harmoniously with the landscape, surrounding vegetation, pathways and rest areas. To meet these requirements, SANO2 Solutions developed the SELM design, characterized by an essential language and a high degree of customization.
In urban environments, public washrooms become part of the wider public realm, interacting with squares, cycle paths, car parks and street furniture. The LONDON design offers a contemporary, distinctive and highly customizable appearance through a choice of materials, colours and configurations.
Discover the LONDON design self-cleaning public washrooms.
How can management be simplified and long-term costs reduced?
Along a cycling route, particularly remote locations, every maintenance intervention requires staff, travel time and careful planning. For this reason, operational efficiency should be considered from the earliest stages of the design process.
Self-cleaning public washrooms automatically wash, disinfect and dry the toilet bowl after each use, maintaining consistently high hygiene standards even during periods of heavy use.
Remote monitoring makes it possible to check the status of each unit, the number of users, consumable levels and any faults in real time, allowing maintenance operations to be scheduled according to actual requirements.
Durable materials, easy- to – clean surfaces, vandal-resistant components and facilities designed for easy maintenance help to reduce wear and tear while making technical operations quicker and more efficient.
The risk of vandalism can also be reduced through good design choices: clearly visible locations, adequate lighting, well-supervised access points and robust components help discourage misuse while enabling maintenance teams to respond quickly when intervention is required.
How much does a public washroom for a cycling route cost?
The cost of installing a public washroom along a cycling route depends on several factors, including the availability of utility connections, the extent of works required, the type of structure, the number of units, the level of automation, ground conditions and degree of customisation.
However, the financial assessment should not be limited to the initial purchase cost. A solution with a lower upfront cost may require more staff, more frequent maintenance interventions and higher long-term expenditure on servicing and repairs.
To estimate the overall investment accurately, it is important to consider the facility’s whole-life cost, including purchase, utility consumption, maintenance, service life and operational continuity.
Do you need support in designing public washroom for a cycling route or multi-use trail?
Every cycling route has its own characteristics and requires a preliminary assessment of the available utility infrastructure, expected visitor number and operational requirements.
SANO2 Solutions supports municipalities, designers and infrastructure managers in developing self-cleaning public washrooms, precast modules and autonomous systems.
Contact us or complete the form below. We will assess together the characteristics of your route, the availability of utility connections, expected visitor numbers and management requirements to help you identify the most suitable solution for your project.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about SANO2 SOLUTIONS washrooms
What facilities and types of washrooms can you provide?
We understand that each context has specific needs and requires bespoke solutions. That is why our range includes:
- Washrooms that can be integrated into existing premises, ensuring maximum adaptability to the space available.
- Precast freestanding outdoor structures
- Washrooms without connections when sewer, water and electricity are not available
Our solutions are designed to meet every need: whether you need several washrooms in a single room or individual washrooms, we at SANO2 SOLUTIONS we have the ideal project for your space.
Once you have defined the structure, choose the most suitable type of washroom: without connections, traditional or self-cleaning, at SANO2 SOLUTIONS you will find each of these solutions and all the support you need.
I do not have a drainage, water or electricity. Can you provide me with washrooms without plumbing?
Absolutely! Our S0 range of off-grid toilets is designed for areas that are far from water, sewerage and electricity. SANO2 SOLUTIONS’ Bathroom Zero allows you to install a prefabricated bathroom, that is accessible to the disabled, more durable than a chemical toilet and more versatile than a traditional bathroom. Bathroom Zero has a waste water tank to compensate for the lack of a sewer connection, a water storage tank connected to a rainwater collection system, and two photovoltaic panels to generate the electricity needed to light the bathroom. Plumbing-free solutions are highly valued by users for their added value as eco-friendly and sustainable bathrooms.
When it comes to materials, fittings and finishes, you are spoilt for choice! Visit the design page of our projects!
What kind of access can I install in the washrooms?
Entrance and exit systems for the washrooms depend on the needs of the customers and the area, which is why we offer several options.
Access can be free or paid, coin-operated or contactless with Nayax readers (you decide how much to set!).
Again, you can choose the access system by reading a QR code, a tax code or a EuroKey.
Do you want to buy a public washroom privately or do you want to respond to a public tender with your washroom project?
Whether you want to buy a public washroom as a private individual or you need a public washroom project for a tender, perhaps as a construction company, architect or town hall technician, at SANO2 SOLUTIONS we design public washrooms of all types, from those without plumbing to self-cleaning models.
As a global company, one of our main values is to respect the context, the regulations in each country, but above all, to respect the needs of the customer.
Tell us about your project, SANO2 SOLUTIONS will come to you and find solutions for all your needs.
Do you build Accessible Washrooms? Can I choose the equipment?
At SANO2 SOLUTIONS we design, build and install Accessible Washroom And Unisex Washroom. Accessibility is a core value for us and has always been a part of our offering. As an international company, when we design and build washrooms for people with disabilities, we always take care to comply with applicable regulations: each country has its own dimensions, equipment, access and measures designed specifically designed for safe use by people with reduced mobility.
Our public washrooms are fully customisable, you choose the layout. For example, we can include instructions in Braille or record voice commands in the washroom, we can install the hand shower next to the washroom or include SOS buttons easily accessible from the seat.
You can rely on our experience in the industry and our knowledge of public disabled washroom regulations.
Can I get a maintenance contract for my washroom? How do you manage washrooms?
Of course you can! We guarantee the maintenance of our self-cleaning washrooms through our All In maintenance service, which is an integral part of our offer. In addition, we can offer a range of maintenance packages on request, depending on your specific needs.
Our All In maintenance service includes:
- Routine maintenance: cleaning and replenishment of consumables, typically twice a month
- Predictive maintenance: thanks to our powerful remote control tool we can intervene before components fail, reducing the time the washroom is inefficient.
- Technical maintenance: carried out by specialised technicians, it involves checking all the automatisms, usually once a month.
- Telephone support: active on working days, we provide assistance and intervene on the washroom, thanks to remote control, solving most of the problems.
Do you have a guarantee on your washrooms? For how many years?
Yes, all our washrooms are covered by a guarantee. By law, the warranty on manufacturing defects is one year, but we at SANO2 SOLUTIONS have decided to extend it to 2 years to give you greater peace of mind and security in your investment.