Cycle tracks in an urban environment

Roger Geller

Iowa Bicycle Summit

January 27, 2012

Separation (Comfort) v. Proximity (Access)

Facility Type Separation Proximity Difficulty

Shared route

Shared Lane Marking

Bike Lane

Bike Boulevard

Off-Street Path

Cycle Track

Bicycle Lanes

Protection•Parked cars•Curbing•Intermittent•Elevation

Intersections•Roadways•Driveways

Left turns

Cycle tracks (protected bikeways) Cycle track

An exclusive bicycle facility adjacent to the roadway but separated from motor vehicle traffic by a physical barrier or other buffer.

City of Portland Bicycle Plan for 2030

A cycle track is an exclusive bike facility that combines the user experience of a separated path with the on-street infrastructure of a conventional bike lane. A cycle track is physically separated from motor traffic and distinct from the sidewalk.

NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide

Basic design elements

Left turns out of travel lane

Grade-separated bikeway

Treatment to increase visibility approaching intersection

Types of cycle tracks

Cycle track: one-way protected One-way cycle track

Both sides of street

Cycle track: two-way protected Two-way cycle track

Two-way cycle track

Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation – August

TWO-WAY BIKE LANES

Right-turning driver A is looking for traffic on the left

Left-turning driver B is looking for traffic ahead

Wrong-way cyclist isn’t in the driver's main field of vision

NO! NO! NO!!NO!! NO!!!NO!!!

Unexpected Movements

Bi-directional paths can create unexpected movements at intersections and driveways

Consider using single direction paths where there are many driveways and intersections

Problems with cycle tracks

1. Mid-block access/egress

2. Visibility at intersections

3. (Passenger) dooring

4. Left turns

5. Maintenance

Facility Elements and design goals

Protection

Parked cars

One-way cycle track

Parking

Cycle track

Removed a travel laneand moved parking 10’from the curb

Cycle track

Two-Way Separated Bikeways

Prospect Park WestProspect Park WestNew York, NYNew York, NY

Curbing

One-way cycle track

Curb

Protection

New York

Two-way cycle track

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Elevation

One-way cycle track

Elevation

Cycle track

Cully Boulevard, Northeast Portland

A’dam cycle track

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Intermittent

One-way cycle track

Intermittent Alameda, CA

San Sebastian

Features:•Striping, marking•Reflective rumble strip•Plastic break-away bollards

Potential for Blockages andReduced Room for Passing

Rolled curbs aid passing/leaving path

Minimum 6.5’ (~2.0m) width to allow for side by side riding and passing

Intersections

Turn Conflicts/Intersections

- Bring cyclists down to roadway level

- Improve sightlines- Signalize- Slow turning drivers- Add high visibility markings

Left Turns Cycle track intersection approach

Basic design elements

Left turns out of travel lane

Grade-separated bikeway

Treatment to increase visibility approaching intersection

Mixing ZoneNew York City

Two-way cycle tracks on one-way street

Various color combinations

Two-stage left turn: with parking

Broadway left turn pocketLeft turns from cycle track

Cycle track: one-way protectedat driveway

One-way cycle track

Cycle track: two-way raisedat driveway

Crossing treatments

Pedestrian mixing zone

Crossing treatments

Motorist’s view approaching ped/bike mixing zone Raised to path level

Other issues

Transition to roadway Maintenance:Sweeping and Snow

- Make path wide enough for street sweeper/plows- Buy smaller street sweepers/plows