Study of Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes

Abstract

A comparative analysis of bicycle lanes (BLs) versus wide curb lanes (WCLs) was done. The primary analysis was based on videotapes of almost 4,600 bicyclists from 48 sites in Santa Barbara, California; Gainesville, Florida; and Austin, Texas. The videotapes were coded to evaluate operational characteristics and conflicts with motorists, other bicyclists, or pedestrians. Significant differences in both operational behaviors and conflicts were associated with BLs and WCLs, but they varied depending on the behavior being analyzed. Wrong-way riding and sidewalk riding were much more prevalent at WCL sites compared to BL sites. The aggregated data showed that significantly more motor vehicles passing bicycles on the left encroached into the adjacent traffic lane from WCL situations compared to BL situations. Proportionally more bicyclists obeyed stop signs at BL sites; however, when a stop sign was disobeyed, the proportion of bicyclists with both "somewhat unsafe" and "definitely unsafe" movements was higher at BL sites. The vast majority of observed bicycle-motor vehicle conflicts were minor, and there were no differences in the conflict severity by type of bicycle facility. Bicyclists in WCLs, however, experienced more bike-pedestrian conflicts, whereas bicyclists in BLs experienced more bike-bike conflicts. The overall conclusion is that both BL and WCL facilities can and should be used to improve riding conditions for bicyclists. The identified differences in operations and conflicts appeared to be related to the specific destination patterns of bicyclists riding through the intersection areas studied and not to characteristics of the bicycle facilities.

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