Bicycle boulevards are lightly-trafficked streets that prioritize bicycles. Although many routes have no bike lanes, bicyclists are free to use the middle of the street, sharing road space with cars. Motorists on these routes expect to see bicyclists and therefore travel with caution. Designated streets should be distinguished with uniformly colored signs and bold pavement markings.

For novices or younger riders, bicycle boulevards provide a transition between bike paths and high-traffic shared roads. But they are also quite useful for experienced riders because of their reduced traffic and connectivity.

The cost of implementing a bicycle boulevard network is significantly less than constructing  bike paths or trails.

 

Berkeley’s Bicycle Boulevards

The City of Berkeley has created a near continuous network of bicycle boulevards that is considered one of the best in the nation. Because Berkeley has a traditional urban street grid, most roads stretch long distances, often from one end of the city to the other. Berkeley's long, narrow side streets are ideal for the concept.  The deployment of parallel side streets as bicycle boulevards allows bicyclists to avoid dangerous, wide suburban arterials. Four north-south and three east-west residential streets have been set aside for bicycles in this manner. These streets were chosen because they are near larger roads, so that most car traffic can be diverted there rather than into residential neighborhoods.

 

Traffic Calming Devices

Traffic calming measures are often employed to limit bicycle boulevards to local vehicles only. For example, diverters can direct cars to main thoroughfares, while allowing bicycles and pedestrians to safely continue along the route. At some intersections, motorists may be restricted to a “right turn only”, while pedestrians and bicyclists are allowed to travel straight. Barriers may restrict cars altogether, creating a cul-de-sac feel along part of the route. Traffic circles and speed humps help to reduce vehicle speed through intersections. Electronic detectors can alert traffic signals when a bicycle approaches, allowing the cycle through while vehicles wait.

Cities with Bicycle Boulevards

Cities that have utilized the bicycle boulevard concept include:

• Albuquerque, NM, USA
• Berkeley, CA, USA
• Palo Alto, CA, USA
• Portland, OR, USA
• Eugene, OR USA
• Vancouver, BC, Canada

ALSO ON THE LIVABLE STREETS NETWORK

• Streetfilms: Berkeley’s Bicycle Boulevards
  

• Streetfilms: Portland’s Bicycle Boulevards
  

REFERENCES

Each source is referred to by the same number every time it is cited. Please keep citation style consistent.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

PICTURE REFERENCES

Pictures are cited in the order they appear above. Please keep citation style consistent.

[1] Berkeley Bike Boulevard - Milvia St. Flickr

[2] Berkeley Bike Boulevards - Streetfilms

[3] Ellen Fletcher Bike Boulevard - Palo Alto. Flickr.

FURTHER READING

• Bike Boulevard Tools and Guidelines – City of Berkeley Office of Transportation
  
• Bicycle Boulevards, Tech Transfer (April 1999), UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies