Cycling infrastructure

Cycling infrastructure is where cyclists can ride. This includes special paths for bikes, lanes next to traffic, and sidewalks where allowed. Roads that cars use can also be for cyclists, except on big highways. There are also places to park bikes, shelters, and special traffic signs to help cyclists stay safe.

More cycling infrastructure helps more people choose to ride bikes instead of driving. Good road design, regular maintenance, and smart traffic rules can make cycling safer and more convenient. Places with many connected streets often have great networks for biking, giving people quick and easy ways to get around by bicycle.

History

Main article: History of cycling infrastructure

The story of paths for bikes began when bicycles first became popular in the 1880s. At first, small paths just for bikes were built. Later, when cars became more common, fewer people rode bikes. But in the 1970s, biking became popular again, and more paths and roads for cyclists started to appear.

Bikeways

See also: List of cycleways and Cycle track

"Cycleways" redirects here. For the category of route in London, see List of cycle routes in London § Cycleways.

A bikeway is a special lane, route, or path just for bicycles. In many cities, you can find bike lanes marked with paint. In places like the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, there are special bike paths with barriers to keep cars away. Big cities such as New York, Melbourne, Ottawa, Vancouver, and San Francisco also have these paths. Montreal and Davis, California were some of the first places in North America to build paths just for bikes.

Different countries have guides to help design these special bike paths. For example, the Netherlands suggests that bike paths be at least 2 meters wide, or 2.5 meters if many people use them.

Some bike paths are completely separated from cars by barriers, while others are just marked with paint. Some paths share the road with cars, and others are for bikes and pedestrians only.

Terms

Some bikeways are separated from motor traffic by physical constraints (e.g. barriers, parking or bollards)—bicycle trail, cycle track—but others are partially separated only by painted markings—bike lane, buffered bike lane, and contraflow bike lane. Some share the roadway with motor vehicles—bicycle boulevard, sharrow, advisory bike lane—or shared with pedestrians—shared use paths and greenways.

Segregation

The term bikeway is largely used in North America to describe all routes that have been designed or updated to encourage more cycling or make cycling safer. In some jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, segregated cycling facility is sometimes preferred to describe cycling infrastructure which has varying degrees of separation from motorized traffic, or which has excluded pedestrian traffic in the case of exclusive bike paths.

There is no single usage of segregation; in some cases it can mean the exclusion of motor vehicles and in other cases the exclusion of pedestrians as well. Thus, it includes bike lanes with solid painted lines but not lanes with dotted lines and advisory bike lanes where motor vehicles are allowed to encroach on the lane. It includes cycle tracks as physically distinct from the roadway and sidewalk (e.g. barriers, parking or bollards). And it includes bike paths in their own right of way exclusive to cycling. Paths which are shared with pedestrians and other non-motorized traffic are not considered segregated and are typically called shared use path, multi-use path in North America and shared-use footway in the UK.

Safety

Main article: Bikeway safety

On major roads, separated bike paths can make cycling safer compared with cycling in traffic. There are concerns about safety at junctions where cars and bikes might meet. The safety of bike paths at junctions can be improved with designs such as cycle path deflection and protected intersections. At roundabouts with many lanes, safety for cyclists can be tricky. Separated bike paths have been shown to help at roundabouts. A review found that there is limited evidence to say whether bike paths improve safety for cyclists.

Legislation

Main article: Bikeway and legislation

Different countries have different ways to legally define and support bikeways.

Bikeway controversies

Main article: Bikeway controversies

Some people say that what works for the Netherlands might not work everywhere else. Others think that building bike paths step by step is not as good as building whole networks at once.

Supporters say that when bike paths are well-designed, they are popular, safe, and help reduce traffic and pollution.

Bikeway selection

Main article: Bikeway selection

Different areas have guidelines to help choose the best type of bikeway to make cycling more comfortable and safer.

A study looked at "road diets" (reducing car lanes for bikes) and found that crash numbers went down a little after these changes. More research is needed to be sure.

Bikeway types

Bikeways are special paths and roads for bicycles. They can be separate from car traffic, like bike lanes and paths, or they can share the road with cars. Some streets are made just for bicycles, called bicycle boulevards, where cars are not allowed to speed or cut through.

Cyclists can ride on many roads, following the same rules as drivers. Some roads have special markings to help cyclists stay safe when there are no bike lanes. In some places, there are special roads called bicycle highways, where cyclists can ride quickly and safely for long distances. Countries like Denmark and the Netherlands have built these special bicycle highways to make it easier and safer for people to ride bikes.

Main article: Bicycle highway

Cycling-friendly streetscape modifications

Cities and regions use many ways to make roads better and safer for cyclists. Different cyclists like different kinds of bike paths and roads. Some ways to help cyclists include slowing down traffic, making junctions safer, and giving cyclists special signals. Cyclists might also be allowed to turn when cars are not, or ride on streets that normally only go one way.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the city of Bogota in Colombia turned some car lanes into bike lanes, adding 84 kilometres of new paths. The government plans to keep these new bike lanes.

In the US, some places have created “slow streets” by putting up barriers to make cars go slower. This lets bikers and walkers share the road with cars more safely.

Traffic reduction

One way to reduce traffic is by rerouting cars away from roads where many cyclists and pedestrians travel. This can be done by building ring roads or bypasses around cities.

Another way is to make it harder for cars to drive in certain areas. This can include closing bridges to some cars, making zones where only certain vehicles can go, or reducing the number of parking spots. In the 1970s, Delft in the Netherlands started keeping cars out of the city centre. Groningen is split into four zones that cars cannot cross, and over 50% of trips there are made by bike.

Traffic calming

To slow down cars, cities can use speed limits and enforce them. Newer ideas include shared spaces where there are no traffic signs or signals. In Norrköping, Sweden, traffic speeds dropped after such a plan was put in place.

Creating 30 km/h zones (or 20 mph zones) has also been shown to reduce accidents and encourage more cycling and walking. Lower speeds also help people feel safer and more connected in their neighborhoods.

One-way streets

Research from Germany shows that letting cyclists ride both ways on one-way streets can reduce the number of accidents. In Belgium, cyclists can ride two ways on one-way streets in 50 km/h zones if the road is wide enough.

Intersection and junction design

Intersections designed for cars going fast can be dangerous for cyclists. Cyclists prefer intersections with smaller curves, no slip roads, and traffic lights instead of large roundabouts.

Protected intersection

Some places, like the Netherlands, have created protected intersections to keep cyclists safer when they cross or turn. Some American cities are trying this idea too.

Bike box

A bike box is a special area at an intersection where cyclists can wait ahead of cars. This helps them be more visible and get through the intersection more safely.

Roundabouts

Large roundabouts can be dangerous for cyclists. In the UK, many experienced cyclists try to avoid them. The Dutch recommend using traffic lights or special tunnels for cyclists instead of large roundabouts.

Traffic signals/Traffic control systems

How traffic lights are set up affects cyclists. Some systems might not notice cyclists, making them wait too long. Some cities now link traffic lights to help cyclists during busy times.

Signposting

Special signs for bikes show directions and distances to places. In Europe, numbered-node networks make it easier to follow bike routes.

Widening outside lanes

Making outer lanes wider gives cyclists more space and helps cars pass them safely. This is especially important where there are big vehicles like buses or trucks.

Shared space

Shared space removes lane markings and signs, letting everyone share the road. This often makes drivers go slower and pay more attention. But there are concerns about safety for people who cannot see well.

Shared bus and cycle lanes

Some places have lanes for both buses and bikes. This can be safer, but it depends on the width of the lane, how fast buses go, and other local factors. In the Netherlands, mixing bus and bike lanes is not common because it can be unsafe.

Road surface

Since bike tires are narrow, the road surface is very important for comfort and safety. Things like storm drains, manhole covers, and road markings need to be designed carefully so they don’t catch bike wheels.

Main article: Traffic calming

Main article: Protected intersection

Main article: Wide outside lane

Main article: Shared bus and cycle lane

Trip-end facilities

Bicycle parking/storage arrangements

Main article: Bicycle parking

Good places to park bikes can make more people want to ride. Safe spots like lockers, stands, and special areas at workplaces help people ride to work. Rules that let people tie bikes to railings or street furniture are also useful.

Other trip end facilities

Some people need to wear special clothes like business suits or uniforms for work. If weather or riding conditions make it hard to keep these clothes clean, lockers, changing rooms, and showers can help encourage people to ride bikes.

Theft reduction measures

Bicycle theft can be a problem for people who ride bikes in cities. It might stop people from buying or riding bikes.

There are several ways to help prevent bike theft:

• Bicycle parking stations - special places to keep bikes safe
• Bicycle registration to help get stolen bikes back
• Danish bicycle VIN-system, a law that gives each bike a special number
• Teaching cyclists about antitheft tools and how to use them
• Bicycle parking in safe, guarded areas like places with cameras or bicycle lockers
• Using tools to track where a bike is from far away
• Focusing on catching people who steal bikes
• Using folding bicycles that can be hidden away safely

Some European countries, like the Netherlands and certain German cities, have had good results with these ideas. In parts of the United Kingdom, bikes with tracking devices are sometimes left in places where theft is common, so police can find and catch thieves.

Bicycle lift

Main article: Bike lift

Bicycle lifts help move bikes up stairs and steep hills. They make it easier for people to ride their bikes in tricky places. Bike escalators are common in East Asia and some parts of Europe.

Impact

Special paths for bikes help keep everyone safer on the roads. When cities change some car lanes into bike or walking paths, it usually does not hurt the economy and can even help it.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some cities quickly made new bike lanes called “pop-up bike lanes.” This encouraged more people to ride bikes, which can help the environment and improve health. Many leaders now want to cut down on pollution from cars, like the European Union’s plan to reduce CO₂ emissions by 55% by 2030, as part of their work to fight climate change and keep air clean.

Integration with public transit

See also: Bicycle carrier

Cycling and public transport work well together in many places. In the Netherlands and Denmark, many people ride bikes to train stations because trains are reliable and stations have safe places to park bikes.

In Japan, many train stations have lots of bike parking. Some cities let people bring bikes on trains, trams, and buses. In Düsseldorf, bikes are allowed on all public transport at any time. In Copenhagen, you can bring your bike on commuter trains all day. Some high-speed trains in France are adding space for bikes.

In Canada, many buses and light rail trains have places for bikes, especially when it is not very busy. In Chicago, up to two bikes are allowed on buses at all times. Some places let people bring folded bikes on trains or buses when there is no regular bike space.

Bikesharing systems

Main article: Bikesharing

A bikesharing system is a service where people can borrow bicycles for a short time. You can pick up a bike at one spot and drop it off at another spot. Many of these services need people to sign up before they can use them.

Examples of cycling infrastructure

Cycling infrastructure includes paths and roads where people can ride bikes safely. Some examples are in Santos, Brazil; a bikeway in Portugal; and a bikeway in Pocuro, Chile.

Other places with good cycling paths include Pesaro, Italy; Ciclopaseo in Quito, Ecuador; and Bogotá, Colombia. You can also find great bike paths along the Trans Canada Trail in Vancouver, British Columbia, and in Los Angeles, California.

Cities like New York City have special bike-sharing programs, such as in Times Square. There are also bike paths in Minsk, and a popular bike system called Vélib' in Paris, France, and in Daejeon, Korea.