- Overview
- Products
- Applications
- Road Markings
- Vehicle Conspicuity Markings
- Digital Traffic Sign Printing
- Temporary Traffic Control
- Traffic Signs
- Urban Safety & Mobility
- Vehicle Visibility
- School Zones
- View All Applications
- Resources
- Road Safety Blog
- Science of Road Safety
- Video Playlist
- Certified Partners
- Connected Roads
- Warranties
- View All Resources
- Support
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 safe routes for cyclists and encourage bike travel.
Safe Space for Cyclists. Better Urban Roads for All.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 859 cyclist fatalities in 2018, making it the deadliest in the last 30 years.
An Urban Safety Solution: Designated, Protected, and Efficient Bike Lanes
Safe bicycle travel promotes greener and 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.
-
Case Study: How the Netherlands Became the Biking Capital of the World
In the 1970s, the majority of people in the Netherlands travelled by car and the number 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” — 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.
Designing and Building Effective Protected Bike Lanes
Two important components for effective and 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
High-Visibility Traffic SignsSignage that designates and communicates bike lanes, stops, turns, etc., improves safety and mobility for all travellers 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.
-
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.
Traffic 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.
-
Pavement MarkingsOur high-performance retroreflective, wet retroreflective, and adhesive pavement markings help cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians see and navigate bike lanes in urban areas.
-
Symbols and LegendsUse our high-visibility pavement marking tapes to add important messages on bike lane paths.
3M™ Stamark™ Pavement Marking Symbols and Legends Tape Series L380
-
Reflective SheetingInstalling 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.
Need Help Designing and Building Safer Urban Roads?
Our 3M experts are here to show you cost-effective and easy-to-apply traffic infrastructure solutions that can help you improve traffic safety and mobility.
We have received your message and will be in touch with you soon.
