Bicycle No. 2
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NOTE: This is a recommendation by NCUTCD to FHWA to add or revise the
content of the MUTCD. This proposal by itself does not constitute official
standards or guidance. Regardless of NCUTCD approval status, any proposed
change or revision has no legal or official status until specifically approved by
FHWA through either the Interim Approval process or adoption into a new edition
of the MUTCD.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE:
Bicycle Technical Committee
TOPIC:
Buffered Bicycle Lanes
STATUS/DATE OF ACTION:
BTC Drafts:
BTC Approval:
MTC Concurrence:
Transmitted to Sponsors:
TC Revision:
Council Approval:
01/09/2014
01/09/2014
01/09/2014 (v. 1.5)
ORIGIN OF REQUEST:
FHWA
AFFECTED SECTIONS OF MUTCD:
Section 1A.13, Chapter 9C
SUMMARY:
The proposal revises Section 1A.13 – Definitions of Headings, Words, and Phrases in
this Manual and Section 9C.XX to provide standards, guidance, and options for the
installation of buffer areas between bicycle lanes and adjacent general-purpose lanes
and/or bicycle lanes and parking lanes.
DISCUSSION:
Crashes involving bicyclists and opening vehicle doors can cause severe injury. One
countermeasure that has been employed to reduce the likelihood of this type of crash is
to place a buffer area between the parking lane and bicycle lane.
Placing a buffer area between the bicycle lane and adjacent travel lane provides greater
separation between bicyclists and motor vehicles. Provision of a buffer can also avoid
the installation of bicycle lanes that may be so wide that they might be mistaken for a
travel lane or parking lane.
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Bicycle No. 2
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The buffer area can be implemented using longitudinal markings, transverse markings,
or a combination of the two.
The NCUTCD Markings Technical Committee reviewed and concurred with this
proposal in January 2014.
RECOMMENDED MUTCD PROVISIONS/ REVISIONS
Paragraph 03 of existing Section 1A.13 of the MUTCD is revised by adding the following
text:
Section 1A.13 – Definitions of Headings, Words, and Phrases in this Manual
Standard:
xx. Bicycle Lane Buffer-area that separates a bicycle lane from adjacent general-purpose
lane or parking lane and is delineated by longitudinal pavement markings and, as required,
crosshatch markings.
xx. Buffered Bicycle Lane-a bicycle lane that is separated from the adjacent generalpurpose lane or parking lane by a bicycle lane buffer.
Insert the following text to a new Section 9C.xx:
Section 9C.xx - Buffered Bicycle Lanes
Support:
Pavement markings can designate a buffer area between a bicycle lane and adjacent
general purpose lane and/or parking lane. A buffer area can provide greater separation between
the bicycle lane and adjacent lanes.
01
Option:
A bicycle lane buffer may be used to separate a bicycle lane from an adjacent generalpurpose lane or parking lane.
02
Where a bicycle lane buffer is less than 3 feet in width, crosshatch markings may be
omitted.
03
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