New from the Federal Highway Administration: Guidelines for Separated Bike Lanes

Greg Nadeau, acting administrator of the FHWA, writes a post announcing the release of the Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide, which, among other things, explains the importance of separated bike lanes to a multi-modal transportation system: These lanes are an important tool communities across the U.S. can use to build safe, comfortable, and connected networks of bicycle infrastructure that meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities."

In addition to a number of case studies, "FHWA’s guide outlines planning considerations and design options for this innovative bicycle facility. It provides information on one and two-way facilities, outlines different options for providing separation, and highlights midblock design considerations including driveways, transit stops, accessibility, and loading zones. Intersection design is also taken into consideration, including the related operations, signalization, signage, and on-road marking concerns."

Nadeau mentions that the new Guide is intended to support the U.S. DOT's Safer People, Safer Streets initiative.