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Safety Toolbox: Engineering


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High visibility bike lanes



   
A short section of the bike lane is colored or marked utilizing special stencils at high-risk locations, where motorists are permitted or required to merge into or cross the bike lane. In Portland, Oregon, these bike lane locations were previously marked with white dashed lines.
objective To increase the visibility of cyclists by explicitly defining cyclist right-of-way. To remind motorists that they are crossing a bike lane and to take extra caution in high-conflict zones.
applications For use at hazardous intersections and other locations, especially where motorists fail to yield right-of-way to bicyclists. The City of Portland has experimented using them at freeway exit ramps, entrance ramps, and right-turn lanes. In Amsterdam, large segments of the entire bikeway network use colored lanes.  In Germany, segments of the bicycle lane are marked using "elephant markings".
target population All Bicyclist, Motorists
crash type Improper Passing, Improper Turning
advantages
  • Improves bicycle safety at high conflict areas. This treatment has been shown to significantly improve safety in Europe and North America
  • Improves visibility of bicycle lane at key locations
  • Results in motorists encroaching less on bicycle lanes
  • Warns bicyclists and motorists of especially hazardous areas
disadvantages
  • The blue color may confuse disabled road users, but other colors are available
  • Local traffic laws may not permit the use of this treatment
  • Cost of on-going maintenance to maintain color may be a concern
  • Unfamiliar drivers may be confused or uncertain about intended purpose of markings
pointers The colored markings may create a false sense of security for cyclists. Cyclists were found to turn their heads and look for merging traffic at these locations less than they did prior to the colored marking installation.
cost High, $89,000 budget for City of Portland's project; this included installation of pavement markings and signage at 10 locations, as well as evaluation and analysis of the facility.
responsibility Public Works
further reading

Portland's Blue Bike Lanes: Improved Safety through Enhanced Visibility, City of Portland, 1999

Evaluation of the Blue Bike Lane Treatment used in Bicycle-Motor Vehicle Conflicts Areas in Portland, Oregon. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Publication Number FHWA-RD-00-150, August 2000.
examples City of Cambridge, MA; City of Portland, OR
related tools Advance Stop Line, Bicycle Box, High-Visibility Bicycle Lanes

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