BikeTexas Benchmark Study

Bridges and underpasses should be safely accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. According to the AASHTO standards, “On new structures, the minimum clear width should be the same as the approach paved shared use path, plus the minimum 0.6-m (2-foot) wide clear areas”. More information can be found here: http://www.sccrtc.org/bikes/AASHTO_1999_BikeBook.pdf

Currently, there is a national and state effort to require all new streets to be designed as Complete Streets. Complete Streets are streets that are designed to be accessible for all users including motorists, cyclists, public transportation, and pedestrians. For more information: http://www.completestreets.org/   http://streetswiki.wikispaces.com/Complete+Streets

Bicycle traffic lights are traffic lights specifically for cyclists that give the right-of-way to bikes when cars are stopped. Bicycle traffic lights are usually completely separate from car traffic lights to eliminate any confusion by drivers that the light might be for them. flickr: fietsberaad

Bike depots are public bike stations that provide showers, lockers, bicycle parking, and food/beverage options. Bike depots are becoming popular in major cities as more and more people commute to work by bicycle.

In-street bike parking is parking on the street level, usually in the form of bike racks. This type of parking is ideal in many situations. It also creates more space for pedestrians on sidewalks.

A bike boulevard is a shared roadway that is intended for ease and safety of bicycle traffic. Bicycle boulevards discourage non-local traffic with traffic calming measures making the road optimum for cyclists. Unlike other shared use roadways, bicycle boulevards discourage cut-through car traffic but allow local traffic. Flickr: Payton Chung

Shared use paths are paths that are designed for use by multiple parties. Shared use paths often have markings showing which parts of the path are intended for which use, but are not always segregated. Shared-use paths usually have a great width to minimize conflict between cyclists, pedestrians, dog-walkers, and other potential users of the […]

Shared Lane Markings or “sharrows” communicate to cyclists and vehicle drivers that cyclists are encouraged to share the lane with vehicles. The markings are typically used when space limits the addition of a bike lane or when the traffic speed is slow enough that cyclists can comfortably keep up.  

A natural surface shared use path is a wide path for multiple activities such as biking, running, walking, etc. The natural surface may be crushed limestone, gravel, mulch, dirt, etc. These natural materials have varying levels of porosity. If the path is designed with minimum grade changes, then less maintenanceis required.

Racks with permanent chains or cables eliminate the cyclists need to carry along their own heavy chain. The cyclist is only required to bring a small padlock to secure their bicycle.

Secure bike parking consists of a covered space in combination with a lock or attendant. Secure bike parking can be a designated indoor bike parking and locking system, bike cage in a parking garage, or even a designated bike space inside an office. www.sfbike.org/parking

A bicycle accommodation policy is similar to the complete streets policy, but usually with less requirements. The policy is meant to encourage bicycle accessibility in new designs. http://www.aot.state.vt.us/planning/Documents/Planning/VTBPPP2-10-08Final.pdf

The SafeCyclist Curriculum is a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian safety education curriculum designed for fourth and fifth grade elementary students. The SafeCyclist Certification Training provides teachers and youth community workers with bicycle and pedestrian safety skills and the curriculum needed to teach these life saving skills to their students.

Storm grates that run Parallel to the street can be a major hazard for cyclists. If the spacing is wide enough, a front tire can easily get stuck in the grate causing a crash or damaged rim. Flickr: Bfinnegan

Bus Bicycle Racks allow users to travel long distances with their bike and not break a sweat. Common bus bicycle racks only have two spaces for bicycles. Flickr: Richard Masoner

A separate bike lane is used to protect cyclists from vehicular traffic. The lane is at the same level at the street but is usually separated by a concrete curb, planters, bollards, pylons, etc. Sometimes these are referred to as cycletracks or protected bikeways.

Bike lockers offer secure protection from theft and the elements. Flickr: Ross Mayfield

Singletrack paths are one bike width wide. These tracks are typically found in natural settings and are used by mountain and other off-road bikes. Singletrack paths are ideal for mountain bikers because the paths are not wide enough for four wheelers which could potentially present a dangerous conflict to cyclists.