29.14 Shared Bus – Bicycle Lanes

Dedicated lanes reserved for buses, bicycles, and potentially right-turning vehicles are called shared bus-bicycle lanes. Differences in the sizes and travel speeds of buses, vehicles, and bicycles may engender unsafe interactions and produce discomfort because buses and bicyclists are forced to compete for space near the curb. Bicycle visibility and the width of shared lanes can create issues as well. Shared bus-bicycle lanes are not ideal because buses and bicyclists are near one another when they execute passing maneuvers.
Avoid establishing shared bus – bicycle lanes on roads with significant uphill grades or on roads with a high traffic volume of oncoming traffic.
Table 29.4 provides basic design guidelines for shared bus – bicycle lanes.

Table 29.4 Design Guidelines for Shared Bus – Bicycle Lanes
Design Element	Guideline
Lane Widths	10 – 11 ft. for offset lanes and 12 ft. for curbside lanes. Limit unsafe passing movements by avoiding 13 – 15 ft. lanes. If 15 – 16 ft. are available, placing a marked bicycle lane to the left or right of a bus lane is an option. Bolster the bicycle lane’s visibility by coloring it green. If 13 – 14 ft. are available, consider placing a marked buffer to the left of the bus-bicycle lane. This guides buses to the right and lets bicyclists use the buffer area at stops.
Signs and Signals	Install overhead signs that indicate lanes are reserved for buses and bicycles. Buses-Bikes Only signs may be used.
Markings	Must indicate the lane is dedicated to transit. Markings should include a solid white line and Bike Bus Only text printed on the street.

Do you have more questions? Get in touch!

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Chris VanDyke

Research Scientist | Program Manager

chrisvandyke@uky.edu