HomeMy WebLinkAboutCycle Track - NACTO InfoOne-Way Protected Cycle Tracks
Description
One-way protected cycle tracks are bikeways that are at street level and use a variety of
methods for physical protection from passing traffic. A one-way protected cycle track
may be combined with a parking lane or other barrier between the cycle track and the
motor vehicle travel lane. When a cycle track is elevated above street level it is called
a raised cycle track and different design considerations may apply.
One-Way Protected Cycle Track Benefits
Dedicates and protects space for bicyclists in order to improve perceived comfort and
safety.
Eliminates risk and fear of collisions with over-taking vehicles.
Reduces risk of ‘dooring’ compared to a bike lane and eliminates the risk of a doored
bicyclist being run over by a motor vehicle.
Prevents double-parking, unlike a bike lane.
Low implementation cost by making use of existing pavement and drainage and by using
parking lane as a barrier.
More attractive for bicyclists of all levels and ages.
Typical Applications
Streets with parking lanes.
Streets on which bike lanes would cause many bicyclists to feel stress because of
factors such as multiple lanes, high traffic volumes, high speed traffic, high demand
for double parking, and high parking turnover. While there are no US standards for
the bicyclist and motor vehicle volumes that warrant cycle tracks, several
international documents provide basic guidance (see references below).
Streets for which conflicts at intersections can be effectively mitigated using parking
lane setbacks, bicycle markings through the intersection, and other signalized
intersection treatments.
Along streets with high bicycle volumes.
Along streets with high motor vehicle volumes and/or speeds.
Special consideration should be given at transit stops to manage bicycle &
pedestrian interactions.
ADA/PROWAG Considerations
When providing accessible parking spaces alongside cycle tracks, the following general
considerations are recommended to accommodate persons with disabilities in the
design of one-way and two-way protected cycle tracks. Local parking regulations and
roadway context may vary considerably.
A widened buffer space may be used to accommodate a side mounted vehicle
ramp or lift so that it will not protrude into the cycle track and become a hazard to
bicyclists. Additional buffer space may be challenging to achieve with limited right-
of-way.
Mid-block curb ramps may be provided near marked accessible parking spaces, or
curb ramps may be provided at a consistent interval along the cycle track to provide
additional egress points for wheelchair users to gain access to the sidewalk. Mid-
block curb ramps may also offset inconveniences in curbside freight delivery
crossing the cycle track.
Roadway cross-slopes should be considered across the cycle track during design
as slopes exceeding two percent will create difficulty for bicyclists and some
disabled users.
If significant Taxi or Paratransit service exists along the cycle track, consider
providing periodic loading zones to allow the vehicles to pull out of the travel lane.
If used, consider placement of bollards in the buffer area so as not to impede
access by disabled users. Individuals with sight-impairments may lack familiarity
with this roadway configuration. Outreach and education for sight-impaired
individuals is advised to ensure that these individuals have a better understanding
of changes to the roadway alignment. Select design elements, such as tactile
surfaces may help reinforce these measures.
Maintenance
Cycle tracks should be maintained in order to be free of potholes, broken glass,
and other debris.
Snow removal and street sweeping may require special equipment. This is the case
if the combined width of cycle track and buffer, or the cycle track width inside of the
raised curb is too narrow for existing street maintenance equipment.
Street sweeping may have to be done more frequently than on streets, especially
during the fall, because the lack of the sweeping effect of motor traffic, together
with the canyon profile of a cycle track, tends to hold leaves and other debris.
Snow removal procedures should minimize the creation of snow banks in the buffer
zone, because snow melt flowing across the cycle track can freeze at night,
requiring frequent salting in order to avoid hazardous conditions.
Snow removal may be simplified by putting the cycle track at sidewalk level or by
constructing a raised median between the parking lane and the cycle track. Care
should be taken to make physically separated cycle tracks accessible by street
maintenance equipment, otherwise street sweeping and/or snow removal will need
to be done with specialized equipment.
Consider restricting parking at a regularly scheduled time of the week or day to
facilitate snow removal and street cleaning.
Bollards or flexible delineators may be removed in winter to provide improved
access by snow removal equipment.
If trenching is to be done in the cycle track, the entire facility should be trenched so
that there is not an uneven surface or latitudinal joints.
Treatment Adoption and Professional
Consensus
Commonly used in dozens of European bicycle friendly cities.
Currently used in the following US cities:
Boulder, CO
Cambridge, MA
Chicago, IL
Long Beach, CA
Minneapolis, MN
Missoula, MT
New York, NY
Portland, OR
San Francisco, CA
St. Petersburg, FL
Washington, DC