TWO-WAY SEPARATED BIKE LANES GOAL

Provide a multi-lane protected bike lane for the efficient movement of bicycles and improving cyclist connectivity.

WHAT IS IT?

Bike lanes typically only travel one direction and align with automotive traffic. Two-way separated bike lanes, or cycle tracks, are unique in they permit two directional movement of bicycle traffic on the same side of the roadway. This type of protected bike lane reduces the necessary buffers for two directional bicycle traffic instead of creating two separate protected bike lanes on either side of the road. Two-way separated bike lanes are still separated from automotive and pedestrian traffic through painted buffers, bollards, raised median, raising the bike lanes, etc. These types of bike lanes are appropriate for higher speed roadways because they reduce the opportunities for collision with automobiles. This also offers a safer area for inexperienced cyclist to utilize the city’s bicycle network.

For more information, the Hillsborough MPO Bicycle Facility Selection Toolkit has explanations for various implementation strategies as they relate to bike safety.

Potential Conflicts

Potential conflicts that could occur include driveways and curb cuts where drivers could collide with cyclists, at intersections if there is not proper signalization to dictate the movement of the various roadway users, the potential need to reach a destination located on the opposite side of the bike lane, cyclist speeds often vary greatly and thus ample space for passing is needed, and the potential for an increasing the likelihood of cyclist on cyclist collisions especially if ample space for passing other cyclists is not provided.

Cost

Moderate to high depending on the level of implementation.