Urban Bikeway Design Guide Second Edition - Transforming Cities for Cyclists

In the pursuit of sustainable transportation and active living, cities around the world are recognizing the importance of designing urban bikeways that are safe, accessible, and convenient for cyclists. With the growing popularity of cycling, especially in urban areas, the need for comprehensive guidelines and standards for bikeway design has become paramount. The Urban Bikeway Design Guide Second Edition serves as a beacon of hope, offering cities a roadmap towards creating a cycling-friendly environment that benefits both cyclists and the community at large.

The Importance of Urban Bikeway Design

Urban bikeways play a crucial role in transforming cities into more livable and sustainable spaces. By encouraging cycling as a viable mode of transportation, cities can significantly reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, promote public health, and increase overall quality of life. However, achieving these benefits requires careful planning and design considerations to ensure the safety and comfort of cyclists.

Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Second Edition

by National Association of City Transportation Officials (Second Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	94372 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	210 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Introducing the Urban Bikeway Design Guide

The Urban Bikeway Design Guide, developed by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), provides cities with a comprehensive set of guidelines for designing safe and efficient bikeways. First published in 2011, the guide has gained widespread recognition and has since been updated to reflect evolving best practices and lessons learned from cities around the world.

The recently released second edition further expands on the original guide, incorporating additional recommendations for innovative designs, intersection treatments, and bike lane types. The updated guide places a strong emphasis on the importance of inclusive design, recognizing the need to ensure accessibility for all users including children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.

Key Principles and Design Considerations

The Urban Bikeway Design Guide Second Edition presents key principles and design considerations that cities should adopt when planning and implementing bikeways. These include:

1. Protected Bike Lanes: Implementing physically separated bike lanes to ensure the safety of cyclists and reduce conflicts with motor vehicles.
2. Intersection Treatments: Designing intersections to prioritize the safety and visibility of cyclists, including provisions such as bike boxes, bike signals, and protected intersections.
3. Bike Signals: Installing dedicated traffic signals for bikes to improve safety and provide clear instructions to cyclists and motorists.
4. Bikeway Networks: Creating a connected and cohesive network of bikeways that allows for seamless and convenient movement throughout the city.
5. Universal Accessibility: Ensuring that bikeways are accessible for users of all ages and abilities, with special attention given to wheelchair users, visually impaired individuals, and those with mobility limitations.

Impact on Cities and Communities

Cities that have implemented the design principles outlined in the Urban Bikeway Design Guide have witnessed transformative changes in their urban landscapes. Cycling rates have increased, leading to reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality. Local businesses have also benefited, as cycling infrastructure attracts more customers and facilitates easier access to commercial areas. Additionally, the physical and mental health benefits associated with cycling contribute to happier and healthier communities.

Embracing the Future

The Urban Bikeway Design Guide Second Edition paves the way for cities to embrace a more sustainable and active future. By prioritizing the needs of cyclists, cities can create a safe and inviting environment that encourages greater cycling participation. Furthermore, the guide emphasizes the importance of ongoing evaluation and refinement of bikeways based on user feedback and changing needs, ensuring that cities continue to evolve with the ever-growing cycling culture.

The Urban Bikeway Design Guide Second Edition serves as a guidebook for cities seeking to create a cyclist-friendly environment. Its comprehensive approach to bikeway design, with an emphasis on safety and inclusivity, allows cities to realize the many benefits associated with increased cycling rates. By investing in urban bikeway infrastructure, cities are not only paving the way for sustainable transportation but also elevating the overall livability and appeal of their communities.

Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Second Edition

by National Association of City Transportation Officials (Second Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	94372 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	210 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Second Edition, is based on the experience of the best cycling cities in the world. Completely re-designed with an accessible, four-color layout, this second edition continues to build upon the fast-changing state of the practice at the local level. The designs in this book were developed by cities for cities, since unique urban streets require innovative solutions.

To create the Guide, the authors conducted an extensive worldwide literature search from design guidelines and real-life experience. They worked closely with a panel of urban bikeway planning professionals from NACTO member cities and from numerous other cities worldwide, as well as traffic engineers, planners, and academics with deep experience in urban bikeway applications. The Guide offers substantive guidance for cities seeking to improve bicycle transportation in places where competing demands for the use of the right-of-way present unique challenges.

First and foremost, the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, Second Edition will help practitioners make good decisions about urban bikeway design. The treatments outlined in this updated Guide are based on real-life experience in the world's most bicycle friendly cities and have been selected because of their utility in helping cities meet their goals related to bicycle transportation. Praised by Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as an “extraordinary piece of work,” the Guide is an indispensable tool every planner must have for their daily transportation design work.