Facilities and improvements for the benefit of bicyclists come in many forms, each of which is best suited to certain situations. This section, developed by the Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation and the Statewide Planning Branch, defines each type of bicycle project to give you a better understanding of the terminology and what it means to planners and transportation engineers.
Under each project type, you’ll find a description, suggestions on when to use that type of facility, principal planning concerns, and planning and design considerations. Photos and cross-section graphics accompany the text.
- Shared-use pathways
- A multi-use pathway is physically separated from motor vehicle traffic, and can be either within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way. Multi-use pathways include bicycle paths, rail-trails or other facilities built for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
- Wide paved shoulders
- A paved shoulder refers to the part of the highway that is adjacent to the regularly traveled portion of the highway and is on the same level as the highway. Ideally, wide paved shoulders should be included in the construction of new highways and the upgrade of existing highways where there is a significant level of current/potential bicycle travel.
- A wide paved shoulder refers to additional pavement width of at least 4’ that has been added to an existing roadway in order to more safely accommodate bicycles.
- Wide outside lanes
- A wide outside lane (or wide curb lane) refers to the through lane closest to the curb and gutter of a roadway. Dedicated right turn only lanes are not used for wide outside lanes.
- Bicycle lanes
- A bicycle lane is a portion of the roadway that has been designated by striping, signing, and pavement markings for the preferential and exclusive use of bicyclists.
- Grade-separated crossings
- A grade-separated crossing provides continuity of a bicycle/pedestrian facility over or under a barrier. A bicycle/pedestrian crossing structure may be either a bridge or an underpass.
- Signed bicycle routes
- A signed bicycle route is typically designated along more lightly traveled residential or secondary roads and is indicated by signs with or without a specific route number. This type of facility should have appropriate directional and informational markers.