Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Lesson 15 Publication No. FHWA-HRT Bicycle Lanes

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-2 Lesson Outline Width standards. Retrofitting lanes on existing streets. Design at intersections and interchanges. Pavement marking and signing. Other design considerations. Practices to avoid.

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-3 No curb and gutter: 1.2 meters (m) (4 feet (ft)) min. –If parking, then 1.5 m (5 ft) min. With curb and gutter: 1.5 m (5 ft) min. –0.9 m (3 ft) min. ridable surface, not including gutter pan. Parking permitted but not striped: –3.3 m (11 ft) total with no curb. –3.5 m (12 ft) total with curb. Width Standards

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-4 Retrofitting Bike Lanes Reduce travel lane widths. Reduce number of travel lanes. Remove, narrow, or reconfigure parking. Other design options. Typical “Road Diet”

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-5 Road Diet Before After

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-6 Bike Lanes at Intersections Encourage crossing/merging in advance of intersection. Use of broken lane stripe at bus stops and intersections. Many possible configurations. Avoid dual right-turn lanes if possible.

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-7 Bike Lanes at Interchanges Cross high-speed ramps in areas of good visibility. Cross ramps at right angle. Consider grade separation.

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-8 Pavement Markings Bike lane symbols Edgeline lane markings. Bike lane symbols. Traffic signal detector placement. Obstructions.

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-9 Signing Use of MUTCD. Consistency in shape, legend, color. Regulatory signs. Warning signs. Route guide signs. Regulatory signs

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-10 Colored Bike Lanes Common in Europe. Delineate the preferred paths through complex intersections or across high-speed ramps. Tested in Portland, OR, with mixed results.

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-11 Contraflow Bike Lanes Prevent circuitous travel on one-way streets. High bike demand. Warning signs at intersecting alleys and streets. (This picture shows a bicyclist not wearing a helmet. FHWA strongly recommends that all bicyclists wear helmets.)

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-12 Practices to Avoid Two-way bike lanes. Continuous right-turn lanes.

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation 2-13 Lesson Summary There are many ways to design for bicycle lanes on vehicular roadways. Use of specific design elements create safe and efficient bicycle lanes.