Segregated cycle facilities: Official definitions and legislation
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Segregated cycle facilities may consist of a separate road, track, path or lane that is designated for use by cyclists and from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. Segregated cycle facilities are distinct from facilities in which cyclists are integrated with other traffic (i.e., not separated from other traffic by class).
There are various types of cycle facility and different countries use differing, often legally defined, terms to distinguish them. In essence, segregated cycle facilities fall into two categories; "Off-road" and "On-road". In the United States, off-road unsurfaced trails are commonly called "bike trails" or "mountain-bike trails", while surfaced trails that are separate from roadways and which meet more rigorous standards for width, grade and accessibility are commonly called "bike paths." In the United Kingdom and some other places, the term "cycle path" is sometimes used as a blanket term for any off-road device. The term "designated bicycle lane" has been defined in at least one country (the USA) as a portion of the roadway or the shoulder which has been designated for use by bicyclists.
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[edit] Official Terminology
[edit] Off Road: Cycleways/Bike Paths
The terms Bike Path, Cycleway (UK & Ireland) or Class 1 bikeway (Caltrans) is generally used to denote a roadway dedicated to cycle traffic on its own separate right-of-way. This may include a separate pedestrian zone or path, or pedestrians and cyclists may be expected to share the same way. In the latter case, the term multi-user path, multi-use path (often abbreviated MUP), multi-user trail (MUT), recreational path or Greenway (New York) may be used instead.
[edit] Off Road: Cycle track/Sidepath
In the U.S., the term Sidepath commonly denotes a path or sidewalk that has been designated for use by cyclists and is within the right of way of a public road, but is not immediately adjacent to the portion of the way for vehicular traffic (i.e., the traveled way). This definition of sidepath excludes designated bicycle lanes, as they are immediately adjacent to the traveled way.
In the UK, the term Cycle track is a legal term for a roadway constructed specifically for use by cyclists, but not by any other vehicles. In Ireland the legal term Cycle track also covers Cycle lanes marked on the carriageway but only if accompanied by a specific sign. A cycle track may be alongside a roadway (or Carriageway) for all vehicles or it may be on its own alignment. The term does not include cycle lanes or other facilities within an all-vehicle carriageway. UK Department of Transport Legal Definition.
A footway that is for use by both cyclists and pedestrians may be labeled a shared use footway[1] in the UK and will usually be to a lower standard than a cycle track. While cyclists may be required to yield right of way to foot traffic on a shared use footway which is unsegregated (i.e., where both types mix freely), cyclists are usually considered to be the primary users on cycle tracks. Note that the design standards and recommendations for shared use footways and cycle tracks in the UK are different from those for shared use paths[2] in the U.S.
At one time in the UK, the term Cycleway was proposed to differentiate cycle facilities on their own alignments from those incorporated within existing highways. This distinction is not recognised in current UK law however it still remains in Irish law.
[edit] On Road: Bicycle facilities
- A Cycle lane (UK) is a traffic lane marked on an existing roadway or carriageway and generally restricted to cycle traffic. It can be mandatory (marked with a solid white line, entry by motor vehicles is generally prohibited) or advisory (marked with a broken white line, entry by motor vehicles is permitted).
- In the USA, a Designated bicycle lane (1988 MUTCD) or Class 2 bikeway (Caltrans) is a portion of a roadway or shoulder which is separated from traffic lanes by the use of a solid white stripe on the pavement and has been designated for preferential use by bicyclists. A Class 3 bicycle route has roadside signs suggesting a route for cyclists, and urging sharing the road.
- A Bicycle Boulevard is another on-road bicycle facility gaining momentum in the United States with use in Berkeley, Palo Alto, Napa, and many other cities in California.
