Usage: Wide
A portion of a roadway that has been designated by pavement markings and/or signs for the preferential or exclusive use of cyclists.
Greenpoint Avenue, Queens
Hoyt Street, Brooklyn
Benefits
- Provides dedicated space for cyclists, enhancing safety, comfort, and mobility
- In combination with other bikeways, provides a comprehensive network of recommended routes for cyclists, thereby encouraging bicycling
- On-roadway bike lanes that narrow or replace motor vehicle lanes can calm traffic
Considerations
- Conduct outreach to people with disabilities and stakeholders working with these population groups early in the planning and implementation process. Provide notification of street geometry changes before implementation
- Without physical separation, vehicles can block bike lanes, making enforcement of violations critical
Application
- On streets with high current or anticipated bike volumes or that offer important linkages to destinations or between routes, and where speeds are lower and double parking/illegal parking (i.e. potential bike lane blocking) is not prevalent
- When excess roadway exists, conventional lanes can be used to calm traffic and make the street safer for all road users
- Consider using a Protected Bike Lane rather than, or in addition to, a Conventional Bike Lane where conditions permit (e.g., street width, traffic volume, etc.)
Design
- Create connectivity with adjoining bikeways, bike parking, transit, and commercial or cultural destinations
- Bikeways in parks, or in other places with heavy pedestrian traffic, light cycling traffic and insufficient right-of-way for separated facilities can be designated using bike stamps
Bike Lane table [PDF]
See the Bike Lane table [PDF] for a listing of typical bikeway designs and their respective spatial requirements, ideal applications, and advantages and disadvantages.