“Buffered bike lanes are wider, not only creating more distance between the bikes and cars but they also enable one cyclist to comfortably pass another,” explained City Planner Scott Wright.
Separated bike lanes utilize vertical barriers like flexible posts to shield bicyclists from vehicles. Protected bike lanes offer even greater safety and comfort for cyclists by using materials such as curbs, planters or even a parking lane between the bike lane and traffic lane.
“We’ve already started to see these improvements in the Midtown area, just north of the University of Florida campus,” said Commissioner Hayes-Santos, referring to new bike lanes added for cyclists along parts of NW 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th streets.
According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), there is a clear correlation between the rise in the number of cyclists on city streets, improved access to safe places to ride and increased safety for riders.
The new improvements support the City’s goals of creating bikeable neighborhoods, and connected trails and paths for biking to link community destinations. The changes are part of recent updates to its Engineering Design & Construction Manual, and are modeled after standards found in the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide.
For more information, contact City of Gainesville Public Information Officer Rossana Passaniti at 352-318-9599 or
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