bikeway

A bikeway is a route designed primarily for bicycle traffic, intended to promote safe and convenient cycling and to integrate cycling into the broader transportation network. Bikeways can be located on streets (on-street facilities) or on separate corridors (off-street facilities), and they may serve one-way or two-way bicycle movement.

On-street facilities include bike lanes, painted lanes adjacent to traffic; cycle tracks or protected bike lanes with physical separation; and buffered or advisory lanes. Off-street facilities include shared-use paths that run alongside streets but are separated from motor traffic, and designated bicycle routes in parks or along rail corridors.

Design and standards vary by country and city. Typical bike lanes range from about 1.2 to 1.8 meters in width, while two-way cycle tracks commonly require 1.5 to 2.0 meters of clearance plus buffers. Intersections and driveways pose conflicts and often employ protected intersections, bike boxes, or signal timing adjustments. Wayfinding signs and lighting improve usability.

Planning and governance: Bikeways are planned within urban and regional transportation networks to provide continuous, direct routes that connect key origins and destinations. They require land, funding for construction and maintenance, and coordination with pedestrians, transit, and motor-vehicle networks. Safety analyses, maintenance, and enforcement influence effectiveness and public acceptance.

Impact and usage: Well-designed bikeways can increase cycling rates, reduce motor-vehicle speeds in local streets, and improve public health and mobility. Criticisms include potential encroachment on pedestrian space on shared paths, maintenance needs, and seasonal accessibility issues in some climates.