Laserfiche WebLink
11 <br /> <br />Buffered Bike Lanes (Class II) <br />Buffered bike lanes are created by painting a buffer zone between the bike lane and the <br />adjacent travel lane. While buffers are typically used between bike lanes and motor vehicle <br />travel lanes to increase bicyclists’ comfort, they can also be provided between bike lanes <br />and parking lanes in locations with high parking turnover to discourage bicyclists from <br />riding too close to parked vehicles. <br /> <br />Guidance <br />• Place buffered bike lanes next to <br />travel lane where speeds are 35 mph <br />or slower and when traffic volumes <br />are fewer than 6,000 vehicles per day. <br />• Bike lanes must be a minimum of 6’ <br />wide. The gutter pan may be counted <br />toward the 6’ provided that the gutter <br />pan is rideable and functionally <br />usable by bicyclists. <br />• When adjacent to on-street parking, <br />bike lanes should include an <br />additional 2-3’ door buffer zone. <br />Caltrans standards allow a 4’ bike <br />lane adjacent to a usable shoulder <br />without a curb. <br /> <br />Considerations <br />• Consider placing buffer next to parking lane where there is commercial or metered <br />parking or parking locations with a high turnover rate. <br />• Where pavement width is available, consider providing a 6’ bike lane with a 2’ buffer. <br />• Buffered bike lanes allow bicyclists to ride side by side or to pass slower moving <br />bicyclists. A larger buffer and/or bike lane is acceptable in cases where <br />sufficient/excess pavement width is available. <br /> <br />