The Case for Separated Bike Lanes

A new study found that protected bike lanes -- bike lanes that are physically separated from traffic -- have a large impact on how comfortable people feel biking on streets. While the results are not surprising, this study is one of the first to examine protected bike lanes nationally, as the infrastructure hasn't traditionally been used in the U.S.

   Key Findings:

• In its first year alone, a protected bike lane increases bike traffic on a street by an average of 72%
• 96% of people riding in protected bike lanes felt safer on the street because of the lanes
• 76% of people living near protected bike lanes support the facilities in additional locations, whether they use them or not
• In 168 hours of video analyzed for safety, studying more than 16,000 people on bikes and nearly 20,000 turning and merging vehicles mostly at intersections, no collisions or near collisions were observed.
• Drivers thought traffic became more predictable after protected lanes were installed. Most drivers said congestion and drive time didn’t change.

     Source: http://new.pitchengine.com/pitches/176a0c66-b65f-4b6f-9d70-4adf1a5bae39

Find more details and a full copy of the study here.