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Protected Bike Lanes
Finding ways to protect cyclists in urban areas is a longstanding challenge for city planners. Riding on sidewalks can be dangerous to pedestrians. Shared roads with motorists can lead to cyclist deaths. As urban areas become more densely populated, this biking safety challenge will only grow. Clearly marked, protected bike lanes are an easy-to-install, cost-effective way to provide safer routes for cyclists and encourage bike travel.
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Safe space for cyclists. Better urban roads for all.
According to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) National cycling statistics, 73% of cycling fatalities in Canada involve a collision with a motor vehicle.¹
An Urban Safety Solution: Designated, Protected, Efficient Bike Lanes
Safe bicycle travel promotes greener, healthier cities.
Increased bicycle usage can offer significant benefits for large urban areas — particularly less motor vehicle congestion, less pollution and greener, healthier cities. A key factor in bicycle usage is bicycling safety. Cyclists need to feel comfortable, confident and safe as they ride their bikes around the city. Providing cyclists with designated, protected bicycle lanes can help accomplish this goal.
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Case Study: How the Netherlands Became the Biking Capital of the World
In the 1970s, the majority of people in the Netherlands traveled by car and the amount of traffic deaths and pollution was becoming unacceptable. So activists took action by promoting cycling as an alternative. As a result of their efforts, various cities started working to make their roads more bicycle friendly. Eventually, the Dutch Ministry of Transport created a national strategy — “Bicycle Plan in the Dutch” — in order to:
- Increase bicycle usage
- Invest in bicycle infrastructure
- Promote public confidence
The Netherlands now has 22,000 miles of dedicated bike paths and 27% of trips are on a bicycle.²
Designing and Building Effective Protected Bike Lanes
Two important components for effective, safe bike lanes are strategic road design and clear, highly visible traffic safety devices. Here are some ideas to get you started. For more information, take a look at the National Associate of City Transportation Officials’ (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide (US, English only).
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Road DietsA road diet is an FHWA recommended safety countermeasure that reduces the number of lanes designated for vehicle traffic, typically from four lanes to three. Road diets can help create safe infrastructure on your urban streets for protected bike lanes and cyclists on the road.
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Channelizers and DelineatorsInstall channelizers to separate bike lanes from vehicle traffic. This provides both a visual distinction and a physical barrier between bike lanes and vehicle lanes. High-visibility retroreflective sheeting on channelizers, delineators and bollards can help motorists see these important visual cues in a range of conditions, including at night, dawn and dusk.
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High-Visibility Traffic SignsSignage that clearly designates and communicates bike lanes, stops, turns, etc., improves safety and mobility for all travelers in urban areas. High-visibility retroreflective signage, particularly ASTM Type XI signage, reflects more light to drivers and cyclists, helping them see signs from further distances in a range of conditions and giving them more time to react.
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Bike Lane MarkingsSymbols, legends, lane markings and sharrows help cyclists navigate both protected bike lanes and shared bike lanes. They increase cyclist confidence and help drivers see bicycle lanes. Retroreflective markings are more visible at night, and wet retroreflective markings help to improve visibility in the rain. The addition of skid particles helps improve traction, particularly in wet conditions.
Helping You Design Safer Protected Bike Lanes
Send us a messageTraffic Safety Products for Protected Bike Lanes
3M traffic safety devices are engineered to be visible in a range of conditions, more rugged to withstand harsh environments and more versatile for use in a variety of situations.
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Our high-visibility, high-performance and durable retroreflective, wet retroreflective and adhesive pavement markings help cyclists, drivers and pedestrians see and navigate bike lanes in urban areas.
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Use our high-visibility pavement marking tapes to add important messages on bike lane paths.
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Installing traffic signs with highly visible retroreflective sheeting helps cyclists and drivers see signs from greater distances and in a wide range of conditions — giving them more time to react. Available in top-of-the-line ASTM Type XI materials and fluorescent colours.
Looking for help designing and building safer urban roads?
Our experts are here to show you cost-effective, easy-to-apply traffic infrastructure solutions that can help you improve traffic safety and mobility.
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