Greenway

Greenways are similar to side paths in that they are 10 to 14-foot wide, paved paths designed to accommodate both pedestrians and bicycles. Whereas side paths are next to streets, Greenways are located along natural features, rail lines, or utility corridors. They generally have fewer road crossings and therefore fewer conflict points.

Greenway Positives

• Scenic
• Can create connections where none exist

Greenway Negatives

• Separate Right of Way is hard to acquire and maintain
• Mix bike and pedestrian traffic, making high speed bike riding dangerous

Find our Greenways here!

Side Path

Side Paths, also referred to as multi-use paths or shared-use paths, are 8 to 14 foot wide paved sidewalks designed to accommodate both bicycles and pedestrians. Like sidewalks, side paths are located next to streets, usually separated by landscaping. Remember, having a side path does not prevent any user from biking in the street. Side Paths are usually built when one or more of the following exist:

• The adjacent street is narrow
• The street has high traffic volumes and/or speeds
• There are few street and driveway crossings
• Bicycle and pedestrian traffic is expected to be high

Side Path Positives

• Desirable for walkers, runners, youth and novice bicyclists, and recreation
• Physical separation from motor vehicle traffic

Side Path Negatives

• Cause bikes to ride against the normal flow of traffic
• Mix bike and pedestrian traffic, making high speed bike riding dangerous

Bike Lane

A bike lane is a portion of the roadway that has been designated by striping, pavement markings, and signs for the exclusive use of bicyclists. Bike lanes allow cyclists to ride at a comfortable speed without interfering with other traffic. Bike lanes help to make drivers aware of bicyclists’ right to the street and facilitate predictable behavior and movements between cyclists and motorists. A bike lane is usually located adjacent to the vehicle travel lane on the right side of the street.

Bike Lane Positives

• Separates different modes of traffic traveling at different speeds
• Gives bikes dedicated space to follow the correct traffic pattern

Bike Lane Negatives

• No physical barrier between bike and motor vehicle traffic
• Can feel less comfortable than separated paths

Sharrow

A “Sharrow” or Shared Lane Marking is a painted bicycle symbol and two chevrons on the travel lane. Bikes are allowed to use any street, but sharrows indicate an area where bicycle use is especially heavy. They are commonly used in cases where a street cannot accommodate a bike lane. Sharrows can also be used to show the recommended positioning of cyclists in a restricted area like an intersection.

Sharrow Positives

• Alert motorists to the potential for cyclists
• Reinforce the legitimacy of bicycle traffic in the travel lane

Sharrow Negatives

• No separation between bike and motor vehicle traffic

Signed Route

Signed bicycle routes are streets or roads that are recommended for use by both bicycle and motor vehicles without a designated facility. These routes are indicated exclusively by signage, and do not have a dedicated portion of pavement.

Types of Signs

Signed Route Positives

• Can provide key connections to destinations and trails where additional separation is not possible or not currently available

Signed Route Negatives

• Informative only