Bicycle boulevard

Bicycle boulevard on Ankeny Street in Portland, Oregon

A bicycle boulevard, sometimes referred to as a neighborhood greenway,[1] neighborway,[2] neighborhood bikeway[3] or neighborhood byway[4] is a type of bikeway composed of a low-speed street which has been "optimized" for bicycle traffic.[5] Bicycle boulevards discourage cut-through motor-vehicle traffic but may allow local motor-vehicle traffic at low speeds. They are designed to give priority to bicyclists as through-going traffic. They are intended as a low-cost, politically popular way to create a connected network of streets with good bicyclist comfort and/or safety.

Bicycle boulevards attempt to achieve several goals:

  • discouragement of non-local motor vehicle traffic;
  • low speed limits;
  • low motor-vehicle traffic volumes;
  • free-flow travel for bikes by assigning the right-of-way to the bicycle boulevard at intersections wherever possible;
  • traffic control to help bicycles cross major arterial roads;
  • a distinctive look and/or ambiance such that cyclists become aware of the existence of the bike boulevard and motorists are alerted that the street is a priority route for bicyclists; and,
  • enhanced environment due to the promotion of bicycle usage.

These bikeway design elements are intended to appeal to casual, risk-averse, inexperienced and younger bicyclists who would not otherwise be willing to cycle with motor vehicle traffic. Compared to a bike path or rail trail, a bicycle boulevard is also a relatively low-cost approach to appealing to a broader cycling demographic.

  1. ^ "Neighborhood Greenways | The City of Portland, Oregon". Portlandoregon.gov. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Louisville Neighborways". LouisvilleKy.gov. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  3. ^ "Neighborhood Bikeway Plan". Co.washington.or.us. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Transportation - What is a Neighborhood Byway? | Salt Lake City - The Official City Government Website". Slcgov.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Bicycle Boulevards - National Association of City Transportation Officials". Nacto.org. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2016.