Advantages of Building Protected Bike Lanes

Cities that build protected lanes for cyclists end up with safer roads for people on bikes and people in cars and on foot.
Protected bike lanes, backed by compelling evidence, stand out as a strategic measure to heighten safety and encourage greater bicycle usage. Functioning as a distinct, separated pathway or trail within existing city streets, these lanes physically distance cyclists from both vehicular traffic and pedestrian walkways. This separation not only bolsters security for cyclists but also renders bicycling a more inviting and comfortable option for a diverse demographic.

Studies reveal that incorporating bike infrastructure, especially those featuring physical barriers segregating cyclists from fast-moving cars, has significantly reduced fatalities in cities that adopted such measures.

Here are the key advantages:

• Enhances the safety and comfort of cyclists while eliminating the fear of being rear-ended.

• Mitigates the risk of "dooring" incidents and eliminates the potential for a doored cyclist to be struck by cars.

• Augments pedestrian safety and comfort by redirecting car traffic away from sidewalks.

• Proves cost-effective, particularly when utilizing existing pavement and drainage, and leveraging car parking spaces as protective barriers.

• Facilitates safer, more comfortable bicycling for individuals of all ages and abilities, particularly those hesitant to navigate mixed traffic.

• Allows for the integration of bike infrastructure onto pre-existing streets that cannot be expanded.

• Emerges as a viable solution for "bike highways" or arterial bike routes, connecting different areas of the city over long distances.

• Plays a pivotal role in "road diets" by slowing down cars, thereby enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.

• Reduces the distance pedestrians must traverse when crossing streets, contributing to a safer urban environment.