Bike Lanes
Wheel Life column - 1 July, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Victoria recently installed bike lanes on Government Street, north of Fisgard Street. Such lanes are increasingly common. In this column we discuss the purpose and use of bike lanes.

Not all cyclists like bike lanes. Some consider them inadequate, since they require cyclists to share the roadway with motorists, as opposed to bike paths that are completely separated from motor vehicle traffic like the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.

However, it is difficult to build separated paths in existing urban areas. Most are developed on abandoned railroad rights-of-way, or along a natural geographic barrier, such as a waterfront. There simply is no affordable way to construct a separated bike path along most urban corridors.

Other cyclists oppose any special cycling facility because they believe cyclists should simply learn to ride in traffic as a vehicle. They point out that skilled cyclists can ride safely in traffic, and that special facilities can create confusion. Critics also argue that installing bikelanes on some roads implies that bicyclists don't belong on other roads.

Although bike lanes are a compromise design that can be criticized as being too little or too much, many cyclists value them. Bike lanes remind motorists to slow down and give cyclists adequate space when passing, and help cyclists maintain "shy distance" from parked vehicles, which reduces the chances of hitting an opening car door. This gives cyclists a greater sense of security, and as a result encourages more bicycle transportation.

One study found that each mile of bikeway per 10,000 residents increases bicycle commuting an average of 0.75 percentage points (Arthur Nelson and David Allen, "If You Build Them, Commuters Will Use Them" Transportation Research Record 1578, 1997). Most communities with high levels of cycling have achieved this largely by developing cycling networks consisting primarily of bike lanes. We think those are pretty good arguments in favor of bike lanes.

However, it is important that traffic planners, drivers and cyclists understand how bike lanes should and should not be used. Here are some tips:

• Bike lanes are not a substitute for skill and courtesy. Cyclists must learn traffic riding skills, and motorists still need to be cautious when passing cyclists, regardless of whether or not there is a bike lane.
• Bike lanes should reinforce rather than contradict good traffic practices. For example, even if a bike lane exists along the right side of the roadway, cyclists still need to shift into the left lane when making a left turn, or stop and cross the intersection as a pedestrian.
• The presence of bike lanes on some streets should not be interpreted to mean that other streets are necessarily unsuitable for cycling. All roads should be designed and maintained to accommodate cycling.
• Bike lanes should be located where they provide the greatest benefit, which usually means arterials and highways. Bike lanes are not necessary on streets with low traffic speeds and volumes.
• Bike lanes must be properly designed and maintained, which means being free of potholes debris.