The research seems pretty clear on what kind of bike lanes are safest, and bring out the most bicyclists: cycle tracks. But perhaps it is not clear enough: Hennepin County (Minnesota) is intent on building in-the-street,non-separated bicycle lanes instead of separated cycle tracks. David Maki was skeptical, solicited input from some experts, and explains the story in the Twin Cities Daily Planet.
Maki found that “recent studies comparing the relative safety of cycle tracks versus in-the-street bicycle lanes have found cycle tracks to be the safer option by statistically significant margins.” Another study from the Harvard School of Public Health found a 250% increase in ridership when compared to in-the-street bicycle lanes.
He also included this slide from the Cycling in Cities website, which does a great job of showing the kind of bike facility people prefer, and the kind which are the safest.
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Larry Ehl is the founder and publisher of Transportation Issues Daily. In the public sector, Larry was Federal Relations Manager for Washington State DOT; Chief of Staff to US Senator Slade Gorton; and was twice elected to the Edmonds School Board.
Tags: Bike Lanes, Cycling, cycling in cities, Larry Ehl, Transportation Issues Daily, What Kind of Bike Lanes Are Safest
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