Introduction
Advisory bike lanes are a type of edge lane road or shared street treatment that provides for two-way motor vehicle and bicyclist traffic using a center lane and advisory bicycle lanes on either side. The center lane is primarily for motorists traveling in both directions though bicyclists can use it when needed. Bicyclists have right-of-way in the edge lanes but motorists can enter the edge lanes, after yielding to the bicyclists there, to pass approaching vehicles. This can sound ludicrous to those not familiar with the concept but it works well in numerous countries, including the US and Canada. This roadway configuration originated in the Netherlands where they have over 50 years and many hundreds of road-kilometers of experience with this facility.
The video below was produced by the City of Ottawa and is a good explanation of how this shared street treatment operates.
Advisory bike lanes are a type of edge lane road or shared street treatment that provides for two-way motor vehicle and bicyclist traffic using a center lane and advisory bicycle lanes on either side. The center lane is primarily for motorists traveling in both directions though bicyclists can use it when needed. Bicyclists have right-of-way in the edge lanes but motorists can enter the edge lanes, after yielding to the bicyclists there, to pass approaching vehicles. This can sound ludicrous to those not familiar with the concept but it works well in numerous countries, including the US and Canada. This roadway configuration originated in the Netherlands where they have over 50 years and many hundreds of road-kilometers of experience with this facility.
The video below was produced by the City of Ottawa and is a good explanation of how this shared street treatment operates.
Terminology
This treatment is known by different names. Examples include: 2-minus-1 roads (New Zealand, Denmark), Edge Lane Road (Denmark, US), Schutzstreifen (Germany), Suggestiestrook (Netherlands), and Advisory Bike Lanes (US).
I recommend the use of "Edge Lane Road" or ELR since it avoids the numerous problems associated with the Advisory Bike Lanes and Advisory Shoulders names. Those problems are described here.
This treatment is known by different names. Examples include: 2-minus-1 roads (New Zealand, Denmark), Edge Lane Road (Denmark, US), Schutzstreifen (Germany), Suggestiestrook (Netherlands), and Advisory Bike Lanes (US).
I recommend the use of "Edge Lane Road" or ELR since it avoids the numerous problems associated with the Advisory Bike Lanes and Advisory Shoulders names. Those problems are described here.
Short Course on ELR Planning and Design
Because ELRs are new to the US and best practices are not well disseminated, many facilities exhibit missed opportunities to increase safety or comfort. If you don't have time to read the design guide, the following two documents will help you avoid the most common missteps.
Seven ELR Planning Sins
Seven ELR Design Sins
Because ELRs are new to the US and best practices are not well disseminated, many facilities exhibit missed opportunities to increase safety or comfort. If you don't have time to read the design guide, the following two documents will help you avoid the most common missteps.
Seven ELR Planning Sins
Seven ELR Design Sins
AASHTO and NACTO guidance on ELRs issued
AASHTO recently released an update of their Bicycle Guide. It includes sections on advisory bike lanes and advisory shoulders. Their guidance ignores data and experience from U.S. installations. Click here to see a critique of that guidance.
NACTO has also released similar guidance - an examination of that will be posted soon.
AASHTO recently released an update of their Bicycle Guide. It includes sections on advisory bike lanes and advisory shoulders. Their guidance ignores data and experience from U.S. installations. Click here to see a critique of that guidance.
NACTO has also released similar guidance - an examination of that will be posted soon.
New Videos documenting experiences with ELRs from Vail, CO and Yarmouth, ME!
Two new videos were released in April, 2024. They document the story of ELRs in two communities - Vail, CO and Yarmouth, ME. They feature town leaders, law enforcement, advocates, and citizens that simply like to walk. Click here to access the videos.
Two new videos were released in April, 2024. They document the story of ELRs in two communities - Vail, CO and Yarmouth, ME. They feature town leaders, law enforcement, advocates, and citizens that simply like to walk. Click here to access the videos.
Advisory Bike Lanes |
Top Photo Courtesy of Richard Sparks
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