Bicycle boulevard

Bicycle Boulevard is a type of road design specifically tailored to prioritize bicycle traffic. These boulevards are typically found in urban and suburban areas, and are designed to provide a safer, more efficient route for cyclists.

Overview

A Bicycle Boulevard is a street where the primary function is to facilitate bicycle transportation. The design of these boulevards often includes traffic calming measures, such as speed humps and traffic circles, to discourage high-speed automobile traffic. In addition, they often include features to facilitate bicycle travel, such as bicycle lanes, wide shoulders, and bicycle-specific traffic signals.

Design

The design of a Bicycle Boulevard varies depending on the specific needs of the area. However, common elements include:

• Traffic calming measures: These are designed to slow down automobile traffic and make the boulevard more comfortable for cyclists. They can include speed humps, traffic circles, and chicanes.

• Bicycle lanes: These are designated lanes for bicycle traffic. They are typically marked with paint or other visual indicators.

• Bicycle-specific traffic signals: These are traffic signals that are specifically designed for bicycle traffic. They can include bicycle-specific traffic lights and crosswalk signals.

• Wide shoulders: These provide additional space for cyclists, making the boulevard more comfortable and safer for bicycle traffic.

Benefits

The primary benefit of a Bicycle Boulevard is that it provides a safer, more efficient route for cyclists. By prioritizing bicycle traffic, these boulevards can help to reduce conflicts between cyclists and motorists. In addition, they can help to encourage cycling as a mode of transportation, which can have numerous health, environmental, and economic benefits.

Examples

Examples of Bicycle Boulevard can be found in many cities around the world. In the United States, cities such as Portland, Oregon and Berkeley, California have implemented bicycle boulevards. In Europe, cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen have extensive networks of bicycle boulevards.

See also

• Bicycle infrastructure
• Bicycle-friendly
• Cycling in the Netherlands
• Cycling in Denmark