Bicycle Infrastructure Design Cheatsheet: Planning for Safe & Effective Cycling Networks

Introduction to Bicycle Infrastructure Design

Bicycle infrastructure design involves creating dedicated facilities and road adaptations that enable safe, efficient, and comfortable cycling. Unlike car-centric transportation planning, bicycle infrastructure prioritizes vulnerable road users through separated facilities, traffic calming, and urban design that encourages active mobility. Effective bicycle infrastructure matters because it significantly increases cycling rates, improves safety, reduces emissions, enhances public health, boosts local economies, and creates more equitable transportation systems accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and income levels.

Core Concepts & Principles

Fundamental Design Principles

• Network Coherence: Creating continuous, interconnected routes without gaps
• Directness: Minimizing detours and providing the shortest reasonable path
• Safety: Separating cyclists from high-speed/volume motor traffic
• Comfort: Smooth surfaces, adequate width, minimal stops
• Attractiveness: Pleasant surroundings, good lighting, social safety
• All Ages & Abilities (AAA): Designing for users from 8 to 80 years old

Hierarchy of Bicycle Facilities

Key Design Parameters

• Design Speed: Typically 12-20 mph (20-30 km/h)
• Lane Width: One-way: 5-7 ft (1.5-2.1m); Two-way: 8-12 ft (2.4-3.6m)
• Buffer Width: Minimum 1.5-3 ft (0.5-1m) from motor traffic
• Vertical Clearance: Minimum 8.2 ft (2.5m)
• Sight Distance: 100-300 ft (30-90m) depending on design speed
• Turning Radius: Minimum 15 ft (5m) at 12 mph

Step-by-Step Process for Bicycle Infrastructure Planning

1. Network Planning

• Conduct cycling demand analysis and identify desire lines
• Map key destinations (schools, transit, employment, retail)
• Identify existing barriers and opportunities
• Classify street network by traffic volume/speed
• Define primary, secondary, and local route hierarchy
• Ensure connectivity and eliminate network gaps

2. Facility Selection

• Assess roadway characteristics (speed, volume, width)
• Use facility selection matrix based on traffic conditions
• Consider context-sensitive design approaches
• Evaluate available right-of-way and constraints
• Identify intersection treatment needs
• Select appropriate facility type for each corridor segment

3. Detailed Design Development

• Develop cross-sections for each segment
• Design intersections and transitions
• Plan signal timing and phasing modifications
• Create signing and marking plans
• Design traffic calming elements
• Configure bus stop and loading zone interactions

4. Implementation Planning

• Prioritize projects based on safety, connectivity, equity, and demand
• Develop cost estimates and identify funding sources
• Create phasing strategy for network development
• Align with planned roadway maintenance/rehabilitation
• Prepare construction documents and specifications
• Plan for maintenance needs and responsibilities

Facility Types & Design Specifications

Protected Bicycle Lanes / Cycle Tracks

• Application: High-volume roads (>6,000 ADT) or speeds >25 mph (40 km/h)
• Width: One-way: 6.5-8 ft (2-2.5m); Two-way: 10-12 ft (3-3.7m)
• Protection Types:
  • Concrete barriers: Highest protection, higher cost
  • Planters: High protection, aesthetic benefits
  • Flexible delineators: Moderate protection, lower cost
  • Parked cars: Effective buffer, requires door zone
• Considerations:
  • Intersection treatment critical for safety
  • Drainage must be maintained
  • Snow removal requirements
  • Access points for driveways/loading

Conventional & Buffered Bike Lanes

• Application: Medium-volume roads (3,000-6,000 ADT) or speeds 25-30 mph
• Width: Conventional: 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8m); Buffered: 5-7 ft + 1.5-3 ft buffer
• Placement:
  • Adjacent to curb (preferred)
  • Adjacent to parking (with buffer for door zone)
• Considerations:
  • Lower cost and faster implementation
  • Less protection than separated facilities
  • Potential conflicts with turning vehicles
  • Enforcement needed to prevent parking/loading

Neighborhood Bikeways / Bicycle Boulevards

• Application: Low-volume residential streets (<3,000 ADT)
• Elements:
  • Traffic calming (speed humps, chicanes, pinch points)
  • Traffic diverters to reduce volume
  • Bicycle-permeable barriers
  • Crossing treatments at arterials
  • Wayfinding signage
• Considerations:
  • Cost-effective network expansion
  • Community acceptance of traffic modifications
  • Potential impacts on emergency response
  • May require traffic circulation changes

Off-Street Paths & Trails

• Application: Parks, greenways, utility corridors, rail trails
• Width: 10-14 ft (3-4.3m) standard; 8 ft (2.4m) minimum
• Surface Types:
  • Asphalt: High durability, higher cost
  • Concrete: Longest lifespan, highest cost
  • Crushed aggregate: Lower cost, less accessible
• Considerations:
  • Pedestrian/cyclist conflicts
  • Access points and connectivity
  • Lighting for safety
  • Natural surveillance

Intersection Design Elements

Protected Intersections

• Key Components:
  • Corner refuge islands
  • Forward bicycle queuing area
  • Setback crossing (20 ft/6m)
  • Bicycle-specific signals where needed
• Benefits:
  • Reduces exposure time
  • Improves visibility
  • Decreases turning speeds
  • Clarifies priority

Bike Boxes

• Application: Signalized intersections with high turning movements
• Dimensions: 10-16 ft (3-5m) depth, full lane width
• Features:
  • Advanced stop line for cyclists
  • Colored pavement recommended
  • No-turn-on-red restrictions
• Benefits:
  • Increases cyclist visibility
  • Facilitates left turns
  • Reduces right-hook conflicts

Protected Signal Phasing

• Types:
  • Leading Bicycle Interval (LBI): 3-5 second head start
  • Fully separated phase: Complete separation of movements
  • Bicycle scramble: All-way bicycle crossing phase
• Application:
  • High-volume intersections
  • History of turning conflicts
  • Complex intersections

Crossings & Conflict Zones

• Design Elements:
  • Green colored pavement in conflict areas
  • Dashed markings through intersections
  • Raised crossings to slow turning vehicles
  • Advance yield lines
  • Warning signage
• Considerations:
  • Driver visibility of cyclists
  • Turning speed reduction
  • Clear priority communication

Comparison of Intersection Treatment Approaches

Common Challenges & Solutions

Limited Right-of-Way

• Challenge: Insufficient space for dedicated facilities
• Solutions:
  • Convert travel or parking lanes
  • Implement road diets (4 to 3 lane conversions)
  • Consider one-way protected lanes on parallel streets
  • Use advisory lanes on very low-volume streets
  • Implement slow streets/shared spaces

Intersection Safety

• Challenge: High percentage of crashes occur at intersections
• Solutions:
  • Implement protected intersection designs
  • Use dedicated signal phases
  • Restrict problematic turning movements
  • Tighten corner radii to slow turns
  • Apply high-visibility markings in conflict zones
  • Provide bicycle detection at signals

Political Resistance

• Challenge: Opposition to parking removal or lane reduction
• Solutions:
  • Conduct thorough public engagement
  • Implement pilot projects to demonstrate benefits
  • Provide data on safety and economic impacts
  • Phase implementation to allow adaptation
  • Collect and communicate before/after metrics
  • Identify and activate supportive stakeholders

Maintenance Concerns

• Challenge: Keeping facilities clear and in good repair
• Solutions:
  • Design with maintenance in mind
  • Select appropriate protection types for climate
  • Develop specialized maintenance procedures and equipment
  • Establish clear maintenance responsibilities
  • Create reporting system for hazards
  • Include maintenance costs in project budgets

Best Practices & Practical Tips

Network Planning

• Plan comprehensive networks, not isolated projects
• Use low-stress “LTS” (Level of Traffic Stress) methodology for network analysis
• Prioritize connections to transit, schools, and commercial districts
• Create direct routes that match desire lines
• Ensure comfortable facilities within 1/4 mile (400m) of all residents
• Plan for both transportation and recreational cycling needs

Design Execution

• Maintain consistent design language throughout the network
• Avoid abrupt transitions between facility types
• Design for peak usage, not just average conditions
• Provide adequate clear zones alongside facilities
• Consider night visibility and lighting needs
• Integrate bicycle parking at key destinations
• Include green infrastructure where possible (bioswales, permeable surfaces)

Implementation Strategy

• Align with repaving/utility projects for cost efficiency
• Use quick-build materials for rapid network expansion
• Create signature projects that demonstrate best practices
• Evaluate and modify designs based on user feedback
• Measure and communicate success metrics
• Document local adaptations of standards and guidelines

Policy Integration

• Update street design standards to include bicycle facilities
• Revise development requirements to include bicycle infrastructure
• Coordinate with transit agencies on bike-transit integration
• Modify parking policies to incentivize cycling
• Update traffic signal policies to accommodate cyclists
• Establish complete streets policies with implementation teeth

Measurement & Evaluation Metrics

• Usage: Daily/annual bicycle counts, mode share percentage
• Safety: Crash rate per bicycle mile traveled, injury severity
• Equity: Network coverage in underserved areas
• Connectivity: Network gaps, detour factors
• Economic: Retail sales, property values, tourism impacts
• User Experience: Satisfaction surveys, stress level ratings

Resources for Further Learning

Design Guidelines

• NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide
• FHWA Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide
• AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities
• CROW Design Manual for Bicycle Traffic (Netherlands)
• London Cycling Design Standards (UK)
• MassDOT Separated Bike Lane Planning & Design Guide

Books & Publications

• “Cycling for Sustainable Cities” (Buehler & Pucher)
• “Building the Cycling City” (Bruntlett & Bruntlett)
• “Street Design Manual” (NACTO)
• “Tactical Urbanism” (Lydon & Garcia)
• “Urban Bikeway Design Guide” (NACTO)

Organizations & Resources

• People for Bikes (U.S.)
• Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
• European Cyclists’ Federation
• Dutch Cycling Embassy
• Institute for Transportation & Development Policy
• International Transport Forum

Training Programs

• Portland State University “Comprehensive Bicycle Design & Engineering”
• NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Trainings
• Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals Professional Development
• Dutch Cycling Embassy Master Classes
• League of American Bicyclists Bicycle Friendly Community program