Introduction
An advisory bicycle lane is a roadway striping configuration which provides for two-way motor vehicle and bicycle traffic using a central travel lane and “advisory” bike lanes on either side. The center lane is dedicated to, and shared by, motorists traveling in both directions. Cyclists are given preference in the bike lanes but motorists can move into the bike lanes in order to pass other road users after yielding to cyclists. This can sound ludicrous to those not familiar with the concept but it works well in numerous countries, including the US and Canada. This bike lane concept originated in the Netherlands where they have decades and many kilometers of experience with this facility.
The video below was produced by the City of Ottawa and is a good explanation of how this type of road operates.
An advisory bicycle lane is a roadway striping configuration which provides for two-way motor vehicle and bicycle traffic using a central travel lane and “advisory” bike lanes on either side. The center lane is dedicated to, and shared by, motorists traveling in both directions. Cyclists are given preference in the bike lanes but motorists can move into the bike lanes in order to pass other road users after yielding to cyclists. This can sound ludicrous to those not familiar with the concept but it works well in numerous countries, including the US and Canada. This bike lane concept originated in the Netherlands where they have decades and many kilometers of experience with this facility.
The video below was produced by the City of Ottawa and is a good explanation of how this type of road operates.
Terminology
Depending on the country and the governing agency, this facility can have different names. Examples include: 2-minus-1 roads (New Zealand, Denmark), Advisory Shoulders (U.S. Federal Highway Administration), Schutzstreifen (Germany), Suggestiestrook (Netherlands), and Suggestion Lanes (an English translation of Suggestiestrook). On this website, I will use the term “Advisory Bicycle Lane”, “Advisory Bike Lane” and ABL interchangeably. This is the term I hear most often and it seems to be the most accurate in capturing the treatment’s intent.
Despite containing the word "bicycle" in its name, ABLs can be used as pedestrian facilities as well.
Depending on the country and the governing agency, this facility can have different names. Examples include: 2-minus-1 roads (New Zealand, Denmark), Advisory Shoulders (U.S. Federal Highway Administration), Schutzstreifen (Germany), Suggestiestrook (Netherlands), and Suggestion Lanes (an English translation of Suggestiestrook). On this website, I will use the term “Advisory Bicycle Lane”, “Advisory Bike Lane” and ABL interchangeably. This is the term I hear most often and it seems to be the most accurate in capturing the treatment’s intent.
Despite containing the word "bicycle" in its name, ABLs can be used as pedestrian facilities as well.
Purpose
This website is intended to be a repository of information and design guidance on advisory bike lanes. This site targets traffic engineers, bicycle advocates and those that are generally more knowledgeable than average with respect to road design but can be a resource for the layperson as well.
Links to significant documents, design guidance, links to useful videos and information on the FHWA experimentation process are contained here.
Listserve
An email-based listserve has been created to support discussion of ABLs. You can join by visiting lists.coe.neu.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/advisorybikelanes.
This website is intended to be a repository of information and design guidance on advisory bike lanes. This site targets traffic engineers, bicycle advocates and those that are generally more knowledgeable than average with respect to road design but can be a resource for the layperson as well.
Links to significant documents, design guidance, links to useful videos and information on the FHWA experimentation process are contained here.
Listserve
An email-based listserve has been created to support discussion of ABLs. You can join by visiting lists.coe.neu.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/advisorybikelanes.
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About the AuthorMichael WilliamsI am a transportation consultant specializing in active transportation for rural environments. More than ten years of experience as a licensed general contractor on public works projects from roads and bridges to schools allows me to see the entire picture - from planning to construction. My years as a bicycle and pedestrian advocate taught me how to work with the public and government agencies to reach consensus, obtain grants and bring projects to fruition. I hold a BS in Computer Engineering, an MS in Electrical Engineering, an MS in Civil Engineering, and more than ten patents.
I have studied advisory bicycle lanes for years and was the primary author of Alta's white paper on advisory bike lanes. It was during a visit to the Netherlands that I was drawn to the potential of the treatment, especially for the hundreds of thousands of road-miles in the rural US that are unlikely to receive bicycle or pedestrian facilities. This website has two goals: 1) ensure accurate information is available to everybody and 2) put a stake in the ground on design issues with an intent to foster dialogue around those issues. For assistance with advisory bike lanes or other active transportation issues, feel free to contact me via email at bikepedx@gmail.com or by phone at 530-859-3468. |
Advisory Bike Lanes |
Top Photo Courtesy of Richard Sparks
Bottom Photo Courtesy of Erica Wygonik |
