CYCLETRACKS!

Great CityJuly 22, 2010

Agenda

1. What are they?

2. Why are they controversial?

3. Why consider them?

4. How do you design one?

5. Q&A/Discussion

Safety & Mobility

Our decision to introduce these improvements along Broadway and ultimately make them permanent were inspired by two key factors: better mobility and greater safety.

‐Mayor Bloomberg

What’s This?

What’s This?

What’s This?

What’s This?

What’s This?

What’s This?

New York City9th Avenue, Manhattan

Kent Avenue, Brooklyn

New York City

Sands Street, Brooklyn

Allen Street Mall, ManhattanTillary Street, Brooklyn

Grand Street, Manhattan

Portland, OR

SW Broadway

Portland, OR

Cambridge, MA

Vassar Street – MIT Campus

Washington DC

15th Street NW - conceptual plan

Vancouver, BC

Carrall Street Greenway

Dunsmuir Street

Montreal, Quebec

Boulevard Maisonneuve

North American Cycle Tracks

Location Lane Width Direction Buffer Type

9th Ave, NYC 10’ One‐way 15’ combined raised landscaped pedestrian refuge & vehicle parking

Kent Ave, NYC 8’  (4’ each direction)

Two‐way 3’‐4’ painted buffer

Cambridge, MA N/A One‐way Raised bikeway

Washington DC 9’ (4.5’ each direction)

Two‐way 1’ raised buffer

Vancouver 6.5’ One‐way Raised bikeway

Montreal N/A Two‐way N/A

Dutch CROW Manual Standards

6.5’‐13’ depending on bike volumes

Depends on destinations & access

Minimum buffer: 1’‐3’Landscaping or parking: 7’‐8’Approaching intersection: <1’

Agenda

1. What are they?

2. Why are they controversial?

3. Why consider them?

4. How do you design one?

5. Q&A/Discussion

What’s Not to Like?

History of Danish Cycle tracks

• German highway and political influence

• Separation of bikes from traffic part of effort to invigorate German economy

• Adopted to varying degrees by occupied nations during WWII

A culture of cycling or of convenience?

Obedience & Culture

• Danish system demands compliance and obediance

• Part of Danish Psyche –Jante’s Law

Other Users

• Pedestrians

• Transit

Two Straights Make a Left…

Two Signal Cycles MINIMUM to turn left, with or without cycletracks

The Copenhagen Two‐Step

Compensating for Right Hooks

• CPH understands there is a problem

• Heavy enforcement of “Copenhagen Two‐Step”

• Technology Fixes– Advance Lights

– Stop Boxes

– Pavement Lights

Of speed and function…

How would Elmira Gulch do on the Green Wave?

Perceived Safety vs. Real

• 18% increase in bicycle injury incidents

• 22% increase in bike collisions at intersections

• 28% increase in pedinjuries at intersections

YET• 80% believe they are safer on cycletracks

Potential Operational/Safety Challenges with Separated Bikeways ‐Midblock

Pedestrian Usage

Red Light Running,

Wrong Way Riding

Limited ROW: Narrow and in Door Zone

Potential Operational/Safety Challenges with Separated Bikeways ‐ Intersection

Multiple Unexpected Conflict Points, Sightline Degradation

Agenda

1. What are they?

2. Why are they controversial?

3. Why consider them?

4. How do you design one?

5. Q&A/Discussion

Fast & Fearless ‐1%>

Enthused & Confident – 7%

Interested but Concerned – 60% No Way, No How – 33%

Bicycle Planning Trends:  Roger Geller’s Four Types of Bicyclists

Fast & Fearless1. Bicycling is a key part of 

identity2. Interested in wide lanes, 

bike‐sensitive loop detectors, driver/cyclist education

3. Strong allies for education

Enthused & Confident1. Like to “bike their 

politics”2. Interested in bicycle lanes 

and boulevards, bicycle culture

3. Strong allies for on‐street bikeways

Interested but Concerned1. Enjoy recreational riding 

but safety fears prevent riding more often

2. Interested in cycletracks, trails, and sidepaths

3. Strong allies for off‐street bikeways

Fast & Fearless ‐1%>

Enthused & Confident – 7%

Interested but Concerned – 60% No Way, No How – 33%

Moral of the Story:  We have spent much of our time planning for 7‐8% of riders

Scoreboard, Baby!

Why: Roadway Obstructions in Urban Areas

On Road Bikeway Obstructions

New York City

Why: Continuity of Pathway Experience

Continuity of Pathway Experience

Vancouver, BC

Why: Bike‐Transit Integration

On‐street Bike Network

Signage & Wayfinding

Secure Bike Parking 

On‐board accommodation

Last  Mile –Bike Share

Why:  We’re doing them alreadyGeographic Location of Separated Bikeways

Total Coverage:• 45 states• 5 provinces

Highest Coverage(# cities):

• California – 37• Florida – 13• Washington – 13• Ontario – 10

Initial Survey ResultsWhat is your opinion on separated bikeways?

0

50

100

150

200

250Preferable to on-roadfacilities and shouldbe installed wherepossibleAppropriate only inlimited circumstances

Never appropriate

43%

55%

2%

How important a role do you think separated bikeways have or could have in making cycling more mainstream and popular?

0

50

100

150

200

250

CriticalImportantNeutralNot ImportantDetrimental

24%

50%

19%

4% 3%

Initial Survey Results

Should separated bikeways be included in design manuals in the US and Canada?

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Yes

Yes, withproper criteriaMaybe

Probably not

Absolutely not

21%

65%

10%3% 1%

Initial Survey Results

Why: Prevention of Poor Design

Agenda

1. What are they?

2. Why are they controversial?

3. Why consider them?

4. How do you design one?

5. Q&A/Discussion

Facility Elements

Segment

Lane Width

Buffer Width & Type

One‐way or two‐way lane

Driveways

Visibility

Slowing Vehicle Speed

Auto Access

Intersections

Visibility

Slowing Vehicle Speed

Turning Movements

Segment Considerations

Context Transit route

Bicycle volumes

Vehicle volumes & speeds

On‐street parking

Connections to bikeway network & access to destinations

Treatm

ent Minimize 

pedestrian/passenger conflicts

Lane width

Buffer type

Swap lane for parking, remove on‐street parking

One‐ or two‐way lane

Image Source: NYCDOT & Neal Patel

Two‐way Bike Lane

• Washington DC 

• NYC Examples

Hudson Greenway, Manhattan

Tillary Street, Brooklyn

Kent Avenue, Brooklyn

Buffer Types

$ Striped, painted buffer  

$$ Raised concrete barrier  

$$$ Planted median refuge 

$$$$ Stylized landscaping

Image Source: NYCDOT

Intersection Considerations

Context Controlled vs. uncontrolled intersection

Connections to bikeway network & access to destinations

On‐street parking

Visibility

Context – is this a place drivers will expect bicyclists?

Turning movements Treatm

ent Signal phasing for turning vehicles or bikes

Leading Interval

Daylighting or right‐turn pocket (remove on‐street parking)

Advanced stop line for autos

Bring bike lane towards travel lanes

Striping & signage

• Colored bike lane• Stripe lane through intersectionBike box or corral for 2‐legged crossing

Intersection Treatments

Image Source: RBA Group & NYCDOT

Intersection Considerations

Context Queuing

Controlled vs. uncontrolled intersection

Turning movements

Visibility

Context – is this a place drivers will expect bicyclists?

Treatm

ent Bike Box

Signal phasing for turning vehicles or bikes

Limit/prohibit left turns

Transition turning bikes into travel lanes

Striping & signage

• Colored bike lane• Stripe lane through intersection

Bus Stop Considerations

Context Passenger boardings & 

alightings

Bus headways

Bike volumes

Treatm

ent Curbside bike lane routes 

behind bus stop/island

Bike lane positioned btwnautos & bus lane 

Shared bus‐bike lane w/Sharrow placement