In many urban settings, buses and bikes share limited street space, whether intentionally accommodated through the installation of shared infrastructure, or not. Separating facilities for buses and people riding bikes is ideal and offers the safest and most efficient routes for both bus and bike riders. However, in specific circumstances shared bus-bike lanes can be favorable to both people riding bikes and those traveling by bus.
This report shares our thinking about where and how shared bus-bike lanes work best to keep people riding their bikes safe and help buses move efficiently.
There are already a number of shared bus-bike lanes in Metro Boston, and our report intends to share guidance and key findings from existing projects to support planners in future projects. Read the report now.
Key Recommendations and Findings:
- The shared bus-bike lanes that have been most successful are the ones that improved conditions for both people riding the bus and biking.
- While shared infrastructure is not as beneficial as separated and protected facilities for buses and bikes, the existing shared bus-bike lane projects have positively contributed to modeshift and feelings of perceived safety by those riding their bikes.
- Shared bus-bike lanes should only be implemented on constrained corridors, where separated bus and bike infrastructure cannot fit.
What You Can Do:
- Volunteer with LivableStreets as a Street Ambassador to engage bike and bus riders. Street Ambassadors have been critical to collect the data to support these street changes in being successful. Sign up here or contact [email protected] to learn more about this unique opportunity to influence how people move around Metro Boston.
- Become a member: Join our growing community of people invested in creating safe streets and livable communities. Become a member of LivableStreets today!
- Contact: [email protected]