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Below is a list of reports and webpages that deal with bicycle lanes, bicycle compatibility of roads and other design features for bicyclists at crosswalks and intersections.

Documents and resources are provided as PDF files (Adobe Acrobat reader required), HTML files, CD ROMs and Microsoft Excel files.
  Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Research Reports
     
  A Comparative Analysis of Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes
     
  Evaluation of a Combined Bicycle Lane/Right Turn Lane in Eugene, Oregon
     
  Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept
     
  Bicycle Safety Resource Guide
     
  AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities



  Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Research Reports
 
Sponsor: Florida Department of Transportation

Summary: The Florida Department of Transportation conducts research on issues related to pedestrians and bicycles. Go to this section of the Department website to download some of the available reports (in pdf format).

    Reports related to Design:
  • An Evaluation of Red Shoulders as a Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility (PDF)
  • An Evaluation of Bike Lanes Adjacent to Motor Vehicle Parking (PDF)
  • Evaluation of Shared-Use Lane Arrow (PDF)

Available Document:

Florida Bicycle and Pedestrian Research Reports Site - Research reports are available for download in pdf format on the Florida Department of Transportation site.



  A Comparative Analysis of Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes::
 
Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration
analysis of bicycle lanes vs. wide curb lanes
Summary: The debate over whether BLs (Bike Lanes) or WCLs (Wide Curve Lanes) are preferable has been heated for many years and is not unlike the seat belts versus air bags dichotomy that prevented a concerted approach to the promotion of occupant restraints in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. While both BLs and WCLs are acceptable facilities in many locations, the debate has sometimes forced decision makers to choose which facility type they prefer, to the exclusion of the other. More bicycle facilities might be in place in this country except for this long-standing division of opinion. Because of the interest in BLs and WCLs, it was decided to make these facilities the focus of this project, with an emphasis on operations and interactions between bicyclists and motorists at intersections. experience, etc., of the bicyclists riding through these intersections.

analysis of bicycle lanes vs wide curb lanes; countermeasure recommendations
A secondary study objective was to develop a guidebook of current innovative bicycling activities, with a primary focus on intersection treatments that pertained to BLs and WCLs. The innovative treatment �shopping list� included advance stop bars (often called bike boxes) where bicycles are allowed to proceed ahead of motor vehicle traffic at an intersection; painting a modified version of the bicycle logo near the curb in a WCL to alert drivers that bicycles would be operating in this space; colored pavement designating the appropriate path for the bicycle through an intersection; traffic calming measures like diagonal diverters and speed humps with "slots" in the pavement for bikes and buses; bicycle traffic signals; combination bus/bike lanes; different techniques for separating bike lanes; and others. The Bicycle Federation of America (BFA) was responsible for locating the relevant examples and developing appropriate descriptions. This guidebook is one of the final products of this contract.

Available Documents:

A Comparative Analysis of Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes: Final Report (PDF format, 3,057k) - provides completed report for viewing and printing.

A Comparative Analysis of Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes: Operational and safety Findings and Countermeasure Recommendations (PDF format, 2,897k) - provides completed report for viewing and printing.

A Comparative Analysis of Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes: Final Report (HTML format) - provides completed report for viewing and printing.



  Evaluation of a Combined Bicycle Lane/Right Turn Lane in Eugene, Oregon:
 
Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration
combined bicycle lane/right turn report
Abstract: In many bike-lane retrofit projects, there is not enough space to mark a minimum 1.2-m bike lane to the left of the right-turn lane. This report focuses on a combined bicycle lane/right-turn lane used when right-of-way at an intersection is limited. This evaluation took place in Eugene, OR. The narrow right-turn lane described above was evaluated by comparing the behaviors of bicyclists and motor vehicle drivers at 13 th and Patterson (an intersection that had the shared, narrow right-turn lane described above in place) with behaviors at 13 th and Willamette (an intersection that had a standard-width (3.7-m) right-turn lane and accompanying bike lane (pocket) to the left of the right-turn lane). The intersection of 13 th and Willamette is located about 0.8 km (� mi) to the west of 13 th and Patterson. It is important to note that bicyclists approaching on 13 th at Patterson Street proceed straight ahead to the bike pocket at the intersection proper, in that the right-turn lane is �bulbed out.� Bicyclists approaching on 13 th at Willamette have to shift to the left to get in the bike pocket adjacent to the right-turn lane at the intersection (i.e., there is no �bulb out�).

Bicyclists traveling through each intersection were videotaped. The videotapes were coded to evaluate operational behaviors and conflicts with motorists, other bicyclists, and pedestrians. More than 17 percent of the surveyed bicyclists using the narrow-lane intersection felt that it was safer than the comparison location with a standard-width right-turn lane, and another 55 percent felt that the narrow-lane site was no different safety-wise than the standard-width location. This is probably a function not only of relatively slow motor vehicle traffic speeds on 13 th Street, but also due to the bike lane proceeding straight to the intersection at the narrow-lane site such that motorists crossing to the right-turn lane tended to have to yield. It was also relatively easy for bicyclists to time their approach to the intersection and ride through on a green indication. It was quite easy for bicyclists to ride up to the narrow-lane intersection and position themselves beside passenger cars or light trucks. Bicyclists at the narrow-lane site were �forced into� the adjacent traffic lane on a few occasions, usually the result of a heavy vehicle taking extra space. Sometimes bicyclists would shift to the right-turn portion of the lane if a heavy vehicle were in the through lane. Right turns on red by motor vehicles were rarely prevented when bicyclists were present at the front of the queue at the narrow-lane site. No conflicts between bicyclists and motor vehicles, other bicyclists, or pedestrians took place at either intersection. It is recommended that the design be implemented at other types of intersection locations (i.e., different motor vehicle approach speeds and approach configurations) and evaluated for effectiveness.s.

Available Document:

Evaluation of a Combined Bicycle Lane/Right Turn Lane in Eugene, Oregon (PDF format, 516 k) - provides completed report for viewing and printing.



  Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept:
 
Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration
bicycle compatitility index: final report
bicycle compatitility index: implementation manual
Summary: Determining how existing traffic operations and geometric conditions impact a bicyclist's decision to use or not use a specific roadway is the first step in determining the bicycle compatibility of the roadway. This research effort was undertaken to develop a bicycle compatibility index (BCI) methodology that can be used by practitioners to evaluate the capability of specific roadways to accommodate both motorists and bicyclists. The BCI methodology was developed for urban and suburban roadway segments (midblock locations, excluding major intersections). It incorporated variables that bicyclists typically use to assess the "bicycle friendliness" of a roadway (such as curb lane width, traffic volume, and vehicle speeds). The BCI methodology will allow practitioners to evaluate existing facilities in order to determine what improvements may be required. It can also be used to determine the geometric and operational requirements for new facilities.

Available Documents:

Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept, Summary Report (PDF format, 304 k) - provides completed report for viewing and printing.

Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept, Final Report (HTML format) - provides completed report for viewing.

Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept, Implementation Manual (HTML format) - provides completed report for viewing.

Bicycle Compatibility Index: Excel Workbooks - provides worksheets for data entry and computations in metric units or English units. To download, right click on preferred link below and choose "save target as" if your browser is Internet Explorer or "Save Link as" if you browser is Netscape.



  Bicycle Safety Resource Guide:
 
Sponsors: National Highway Traffic safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration
bicycle compatitility index: final report
Summary: The Bicycle Safety Resource Guide was prepared for the bicycle safety professional and others who are proactive in developing programs at the state or community level. It provides a compilation of existing and proposed countermeasures that can be used by a variety of implementers to help solve a wide range of bicycle safety problems.

Available Resource:

Bicycle Safety Resource Guide - is available. Please send a request for a copy of the interactive CD with your contact information to:



  Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities (published by AASHTO):
 
Sponsor: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Summary: This guide, published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), provides guidance on planning and designing bicycle facilities. Chapter 1 identifies different types of users and facilities, and gives factors to consider when selecting facility types and locations. Chapter 2 contains design guidelines for various types of bicycle facilities: shared roadways, signed shared roadways, bike lanes, and shared use paths. Chapter 3 briefly discusses operation and maintenance. The Appendix describes the legal status of bicycles according to the Uniform Vehicle Code.

Available Document:

To order a copy of this Guide, contact AASHTO: