BIKE LANES – COL. NASE BLVD.

1. What is a bike lane?

A bike lane is a 1.5 m wide, striped, signed lane marked with a large white bicycle stencil on the pavement. The lane is marked with a large diamond followed by a bicycle symbol and is restricted to bicycle travel only. Pedestrians, roller blades, skateboards, and strollers are not permitted on bike lanes. On streets where there is on-street parking, bike lanes run to the left of parked vehicles. On streets without parking, bike lanes run alongside the curb.

2. Why do we need bike lanes?

Bike lanes help define road space and make most people feel safer about biking on town streets. Motorists feel more comfortable knowing where on the roadway cyclists are expected to be traveling.

3. How do I use the bike lane?

Cyclists: travel in the middle of the designated bike lane in the same direction as traffic. When cycling beside parked cars, watch for doors opening. Cyclists are expected to follow the same rules of the road as other vehicles including obeying all traffic signs and lights.

Motorists: must not stand, park, or drive in a bike lane. You may cross over them if turning right onto a street or driveway. Always check for bikes when crossing the lane or making a right-hand turn.

4. How do I make a right turn through a bike lane?

Turning right at marked intersections: Signal your intention. Stay in the vehicular lane, drive up to the white intersection line. Do not enter the Bike Lane to make a right turn. Check for cyclists in your right mirrors and do a right-shoulder check. If there is a cyclist in the bike lane, give the cyclist the right-of-way to go through the intersection. If there is no cyclist or cyclist is far away from intersection, make your right turn staying as much as possible within the vehicle lane, and into the intersecting roadway vehicular lane.

Turning onto side streets or into driveways: Signal your intention. Do not enter the Bike Lane to make a right turn. Check for cyclists in your right mirrors and do a right-shoulder check. If there is a cyclist in the bike lane, use your best judgment whether you turning onto a side street will affect said cyclist. If it will, be courteous and wait for the cyclist to pass. If there is no danger to the cyclist, proceed into the side street with caution through the bike lane.

5. What should I do when the bike lane ends?

Cyclists must continue to travel with traffic along the side of the road.  Riding predictably allows motorists to give you your space on the roadway.