Fitting in Protected Bike Lanes
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Date
2016
Authors
Megyeri, KrisztiƔn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
While bicycling is growing in the U.S., only 1% of all trips are made by bike.
Surveys reveal that up to 60% of the U.S. population is interested in biking
as a legitimate mode of transportation, but they are concerned about their
safety. Thus, in order to make significant impact, cities must go beyond the
bare minimum and invest in a complete bicycle network that prioritizes bike
safety. In terms of infrastructure, this means going beyond conventional bike
lanes that separate bikes from cars with a mere stripe on the road. Instead,
bikes have to be physically protected from vehicles with the use of Protected
Bike Lane (PBL) facilities. Because there are numerous PBL types with unique
characteristics, and because the employment of PBLs is still new within the
U.S., there is a lack of consensus on specific design standards and a lack of
guidance on choosing the appropriate PBL type. Additionally, as most PBL
installations will be retrofit projects, the existing street conditions (dimensions,
traffic configurations, street trees) have to be considered.
Thus, the objective of this project is to create a transferable tool that matches
particular existing street conditions with the most suitable Protected Bike
Lane type. To demonstrate its efficacy, flexibility and transferability, the tool
is applied to three case study streets in Eugene, OR. It is hoped that this tool
can contribute to the planning process by aiding in the Protected Bike Lane
selection process.
Description
96 pages. Examining committee chair: Anne Godfrey
Keywords
Protected bike lanes, Cycletrack, Suitability, Landscape architecture, Design, Planning, Transportation, Safety