Class IV Bikeway

Prior to implementation of a Class IV bikeway, a feasibility study should be performed by a PE/TE to ensure proper design and location of this type of facility. Class IV Bikeways, commonly referred to as cycle tracks, are on-street bike facilities that includes horizontal buffer separation from vehicles, similar to a Class II Bike Lane, as well as vertical separation from vehicles to improve the comfort and safety of bicyclists. Class IV Bikeways can be one-way or two-way facilities.

A

C

Sidewalk SeparatedBikeway Buffer Travel Lane

Source: Kimley-Horn and Associates

DESIGN FEATURES

Travel Lane Median

A

B

C

D

Width of a one-way Class IV Bikeway should be 5’ minimum, 7’ preferred. Width of a twoway Bikeway is 10’ minimum, 12’ preferred. The width of the Bikeway should not include the gutter pan. The Bikeway shall include a vertical element to separate bicyclists and vehicles such as a raised facility, flexible posts or similar, an inflexible barrier, on-street parking, or a raised island. When parking vehicles are used as vertical separation, the facility is commonly referred to as a parking-protected bike lane. Horizontal buffers should be provided and should be a minimum of 2’, 3’ preferred, except where the on-street parking is provided, in which case the minimum horizontal separation is 3’. Bikeway markings should be installed at the beginning of every block, and at regular intervals along lane. Bicycle Signals are required for Class IV Bikeways at most signalized intersections. California Highway Design Manual, Chapter

B

Travel Lane Travel Lane D

Buffer SeparatedBikeway Sidewalk

Shifts in the Bikeway alignment should use a minimum 5:1 approach taper transition, 10:1 taper is preferred. For two-way Class IV Bikeways, a solid yellow line shall be installed to separate the two directions of travel.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Raised Bikeways should be designed to accommodate drainage.

Raised Bikeways are required to transition to the roadway at intersections and driveways.

Maintenance of Class IV Bikeways is extremely important since entering and exiting the bikeway is limited for bicyclists.

Two-way Bikeways are typically installed on stretches of roadway with few driveways or intersections. REFERENCES

1000 CA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2014, Revision 5 FHWA, Separated Bikeway Design Guide