Conventional Bike Lanes

Purpose

Provides dedicated space on the street for bicycle travel.

Description

Conventional bike lanes are a portion of the roadway designated for the use of bicyclists using signage, white striping, and bicycle symbols placed in the lane. On most streets, conventional bike lanes are provided either along the curb or between the curbside parking lane and the right-side travel lane. Conventional bike lanes are aligned in the same direction as general travel lanes.

Safety Benefits

Reminds drivers of the presence of bicyclists.
Provides a designated space for bicyclists apart from vehicles.
Allows for safe passing between vehicles and bicycles.
Channelizes bicycle movements.
Reduce injury rate, collision frequency, and crash rates by 50% compared to unmarked roads (Reynolds, C. et al. 2009).
When implemented with a reduction in the number or width of travel lanes, can reduce driver speeding.

Street Types and Context

Applicable Street Types

Local Principal Streets and Local Minor Streets with posted speed limits below 35 mph.
Arterial streets with posted speed limits below 35 mph where there are space constraints and buffers or protection are not feasible.

Other Location Guidance

Dependent on vehicle volumes (see the FHWA Bikeway Selection Guide for more information).

Primary User Groups

Key Implementation Considerations

May necessitate a reconfiguration of the roadway if done as part of street maintenance/paving or require a capital project if the street width is insufficient.
Clearing sight lines at driveways may be needed to reduce potential for conflicts and maintain sight distance.
Through bike lanes should not be placed to the right of a right turn only lane, or the left of a left-turn only lane.
Provide adequate space between bicyclists and parked vehicles.
Provide adequate space between bicyclists and passing vehicles.

Expected Crash Reduction

Installing bike lanes has been found to reduce bicycle crashes by 58% and may also reduce crashes between vehicles by 27% (Abdel-Aty et al., 2014). Installation of bike lanes in New York led to a 5.6% decrease in midblock crashes for all modes (Fehr & Peers, 2018).

14% reduction in average top vehicle speeds and a 11% reduction in average traffic speeds on the corridor (Younes, Andrews, et al, 2024)

Cost

Typically, moderate to medium cost.

Timeline

One year to three or more years, depending on complexity. For example, some bike lanes tied to capital projects may take longer for installation.

References