Safety Toolbox: Engineering

Index: alphabetical / cost / crash type / target population

Dedicated bicycle/bus lanes

This lane configuration places a dedicated bus lane to the far right, by the curb; and a bike lane to the left of it. Where possible, motor vehicle turning movements should be restricted to maintain the integrity and safety of the dedicated lanes.

objective

To provide dedicated lanes for bikes and buses.

applications

For use in corridors with heavy bus and bicycle traffic.

target population

All Bicyclists, Motorists

crash type

Improper Passing, Wrong Side of Road

advantages

Provides an improved location for bike lane, since bicyclists must pass stopped buses on the left whether there is a bike lane or not
Decreases bus and bicycle travel times, as they are not hindered by congested auto traffic
Avoids leap frog effect where buses pass bikes between stops and bikes pass buses at stops

disadvantages

Benefits of the lanes may be diminished by right-turning traffic using the lanes
The location of the lanes may create conflicts between right-turning vehicles and bikes or buses, and between bikes and buses
A wide curb lane may promote vehicle speeding in the adjacent lanes if it is not well-utilized

pointers

Decreases bus and bicycle travel times, as they are not hindered by congested auto traffic. The location of the lanes may create conflicts between right-turning vehicles and bikes or buses, and between bikes and buses

cost

Varies, dependent on design, but generally about the same as a typical signing and striping project if the pavement width exists.

responsibility

Public Works Department, Planning Department

further reading

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examples

City of Madison, WI

related tools

Bicycle Treatments at Intersections

Index: alphabetical / cost / crash type / target population

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Bicycles/Pedestrians

Safety Toolbox: Engineering