Table 2-1
Types of Bikeways and Applications
Bikeway Type General Characteristics
Shared Use Path Two-way bikeway located
within right-of-way of a
(formerly called road or transitway
Class I Bikeway) Separated from travel lanes
by a landscape panel
If along road, located on one
side of a road and intended
for two-way bicycle travel
8-12 feet wide
8-10 feet vertical clearance
Built to AASHTO standards
Signs meet MUTCD
guidelines
Asphalt or Concrete
Implemented by
transportation agency, or
under supervision of
transportation agency
Maintained by transportation
agency
Motor vehicles are prohibited
May be part of a dual
bikeway (road also is
proposed for bike lanes or
shared roadway)
Signed as a bike route, unless
part of a dual bikeway in
which case the on-road
bikeway is signed and
marked as the official bike
route
Benefits Desirable Applications Discussion
Offers dedicated Along roads with high speeds (40 Proper design (good
facility completely mph and higher) and high traffic signage and lighting) at
separate from motor volumes (15,000 ADT and higher) intersections and driveway
vehicle traffic, fewer where complete separation from crossings is very important
potential conflicts motor vehicle lanes is desired to minimize risk of conflict
with motor vehicles Along roads with few driveways with motor vehicles
Preferred type of and intersections, especially Shared use paths should
facility for beginner commercial driveways unless it not be confused with
or intermediate skill connects to a local designation sidewalks which are more
levels, especially (retail center, school, library, narrow and are designed
child bicyclists community center, neighborhood and intended for
Meets the needs of park) pedestrians.
90-95% of bicyclists Along roads that provide a Shared use path must be
Intended/designed for connection to other shared use maintained and cleared of
bicycle travel, but paths or to hard surface park trails debris and overhanging
accommodates other In suburban or semi-rural branches to effectively
users (pedestrians, crossroad communities (Olney, encourage people to use
joggers, roller- Potomac) them
bladers) For dual bikeways, the on-
road bikeway should be
recognized as the primary
bicycle facility (e.g., signs
and marking). The shared
use path is considered
supplementary.

Types of Bikeways and Applications
Bikeway Type General Characteristics
Bike Lanes One-way facility in roadway,
adjacent to motor vehicle
(formerly called travel lanes
Class II bikeway) Bicyclists travel in same
direction as motor vehicles
Bike lane located on each
side of the road (should not
be located on just one side)
4-6 feet wide, delineated by
striping and marking
4-feet minimum on open
section roads, 5-feet
minimum on closed section
roads, 6-feet or greater may
be desirable on high-speed
roads (40 mph or higher)
If on-street parking is
permitted, bike lane is
located between parking
lane and outermost motor
vehicle travel lane
Identified by bike lane
symbol and signage
Designed and constructed to
AASHTO and MUTCD
standards
Signed as a bike route
Signed Shared
Roadway
Four categories
(formerly called
Class III
bikeway)
Table 2-1
Benefits Desirable Applications Discussion
Provides separated Urban streets where on-road Two-way bike lanes on
space for bicyclists bicycling is encouraged to one-side of a road is not
in the roadway minimize need for bicyclist to ride recommended by
Designed and on sidewalks and separation from AASHTO and is illegal in
intended as a travel motor vehicles is desirable. Maryland; wrong-way
lane for bicycles Because urban streets often feature riding is leading cause of
only on-street parking, bike lanes are bicycle accidents
more desirable than shared travel Bike lanes must be
lane; traffic volumes are high, but maintained as part of the
speeds are low roadway; should not
On closed section highways, collect debris, etc.
arterials and primaries with posted
speeds under 40 mph; roads that
feature wide outside lanes or extra
pavement width that easily could
be restriped to provide dedicated
bike lanes
Open section highways, arterials
and primaries with posted speeds
under 50 mph and that feature
shoulders wider than 5 feet and
upon which parking along the
shoulder is not desired or legal.

Types of Bikeways and Applications
Bikeway Type General Characteristics
1) Wide outside Along closed section roads,
(curb) lane outermost travel lane is at
least 14 feet wide, but less
than 16 feet wide
Unlike bike lanes or bikeable
shoulders, does not feature
dedicated, marked space for
bicyclists
Signed as a bike route
2) Bikeable Along closed section road,
shoulder on the space (2-3 feet) between
closed section the outermost lane markings
road and the curb.
Signed as a bike route, but
does not feature any special
pavement markings other
than stripe between motor
vehicle travel lane and curb
Table 2-1
Benefits Desirable Applications Discussion
Provides adequate Along any closed section highway, County policy requires
space for bicycle arterial or primary that features bicycle accommodation for
travel in the roadway adequate right of way and/or all new roads and as part
Allows bicyclist to pavement width of all roadway and
share the travel lane intersection improvement
with motor vehicles, projects. This is a
but allows vehicles minimum application that
to pass without helps the County meet this
having to leave the policy
travel lane or cross Wide curb lanes wider than
the centerline 16 feet encourage the
undesirable operation of
two motor vehicles in one
lane
Must be maintained
properly to keep debris
from accumulating along
the curb
If insufficient space Along roads with wide outside lane Should not be signed or
exists for bike lanes, 15 feet or less but for which marked as a bike lane.
this extra space designated space for bicyclists is Bike lanes must be at least
simply provides desired and/or traffic calming is five feet on closed section
added level of needed. roads.
comfort for bicyclist. Must be smooth pavement,
Striping the free of obstructions, and
outermost travel lane maintained as part of the
gives the appearance roadway to keep debris
of narrower roadway from accumulating along
and has a traffic the curb.
calming effect.

Types of Bikeways and Applications
Bikeway Type General Characteristics
3) Bikeable 2-3 foot space between
shoulder on open shoulder stripe and
section road vegetation
Smooth pavement (extension
of road surface) and free of
obstructions
4) Local or Bicyclists simply share the
neighborhood road as is; no special
street accommodations needed
Signed as a bike route
Table 2-1
Benefits Desirable Applications Discussion
Allow bicyclists to Along rural or semi-rural roads on Not to be confused with
travel along the road which bicycling is popular or standard 8 foot shoulders
edge, which in turn desired, but feature narrow travel intended for motor vehicle
allows motor lanes emergency pullovers.
vehicles to pass Must be smooth pavement
without having to and maintained as part of
cross the centerline. the roadway.
Encourages bicyclists Along neighborhood or local Because routes along local
to travel along low streets providing a direct streets tend to be complex
volume, low speed connection to a countywide or and feature numerous
street to reach major local destination. turns, effective, well-
destinations, even if Along road serving as part of an designed and placed
road is only open to important route to a countywide directional signage is
local traffic or is destination. paramount.
one-way Along roads making a vital link
permanently or only between two major bikeway
for part of the day corridors