About the Site Email Newsletter Links to Cycling Organisations
Bicycle and Public Transport Bicycle Network Planning Bicycle Strategies & Plans Bike Share Programs Cycling Data End of Trip Facilities Facility Design / Engineering Land Use Planning Mobility Management
Cycling Skills: Information for Riders Cycling Skills: Programs and Resources Organisations Professional Development Research
Awards and Recognition Behaviour Change Programs Economic Benefits of Cycling Environmental Benefits of Cycling Health Benefits of Cycling Maps Marketing Ride to School Ride to Shops Ride to Work Social Benefits of Cycling Women in Cycling
Bicycle Regulations Organisations Overviews Solutions Statistics & Common Crashes
Cycle Tourism: Promotion Cycle Tourism: Strategies Organisations Recreation: Publications and Resources Recreation: Strategies Recreation: Trail and Facility Design Recreation: Trails and Facilities Research
International Local Government National Government State & Territory Government
Cycling Innovations Encouragement & Promotion Enforcement & Road Safety Engineering & Planning Funding

Search

Font Decrease Font Normal Font Increase Print

When Will AASHTO Revise Its Policy Against Separated Bike Lanes?

by Angie Schmitt, February 11, 2011, StreetsBlog

Montreal's cycle tracks attract 2.5 times as many cyclists as comparable streets with no bike lane, and have lower injury rates, a new study shows. Image: Bicycle Canberra


Researchers at Harvard have delved into the relative safety of separated bike lanes versus riding on the road. In case you had any doubts, cycle tracks are safer.

Dr. Anne Lusk at Harvard’s School for Public Health studied injury rates on cycle tracks in Montreal, comparing them to injury rates on comparable streets with no bike lane. Her study, published in the journal Injury Prevention, found not only that cycle tracks attracted 2.5 times as many cyclists, but also that injuries were generally more rare.

Not a terribly surprising result. But it’s an important one because the most influential guidelines for American traffic engineers discourage the use of cycle tracks.

Read More