Bicycles

Best practices around the construction of bicycle facilities in North America has been rapidly evolving as cities and states continue to improve older designs, experiment with new ones, and adapt international strategies. This page aims to document current best practices in a simple, easy to understand format, while still allowing space for extensive discussion about known advantages and disadvantages of various designs.

Designers should strive to create roadways that are safe for all ages and abilities (AA&A) using any type of micromobility device. From young children heading to their friend's house to seniors visiting the doctor and from upright city bikes to fat tire ebikes — every road user should be safe and feel comfortable getting where they need to go. Many older designs have been designed to only serve the cyclists already riding on the roads,

Bikeway Facility Types

Paths

Dedicated car-free bikeway, often shared with pedestrians.

Separated Bike Lanes

Dedicated lanes separated from motor vehicles by a vertical barrier.

Constrained Bike Lanes

The traditional North American 'bike lane'. These are generally not recommended unless there are right-of-way constraints or the project is repurposing existing pavement.

Advisory Bike Lanes

Rare in North America - a compact design that can be used on roadways where management strategies ensure low speeds and traffic volumes.

Bike Boulevard

Roadway configuration in which the entire road functions as a bike path. Requires management of vehicle speeds and volumes. Best for when a bike route is routed down an urban or suburban street, and there isn't enough space for safe separated bike lanes.

Shared Space

Most urban and suburban streets.