On Jones Av. from Stewart St. to Overhill St., a bicycle climbing lane should be at least 4-feet wide.

At last night’s BB meeting, in response to a question from Jenny Selin about 3-foot bicycle climbing lane width, I said that was absolute minimum. I was wrong. I should have said 4-feet. And, on the steep lower end of Jones Av., a minimum of 5-feet is recommended.

According to the 2012 AASHTO "Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities" pages 4-15 through 4-17, 4-feet is the minimum recommended bicycle lane width, 5-feet is the preferred bike lane width.

“On extremely constrained, low-speed roadways with curbs but no gutter, where the preferred (5-feet) bike lane width cannot be achieved despite narrowing all other travel lanes to their minimum widths, a 4-feet wide bike lane can be used.

Under most circumstances, the recommended width for bike lanes is 5-feet. Wider bicycle lanes may be desirable under the following conditions …”

On Jones Av. from Stewart St. to Overhill St., a 4-feet wide lane probably would also be inadequate because cyclists tend to weave on such steep slopes and will have difficulty staying within the lane.

Keep in mind that bicycle infrastructure must accommodate more than young, strong, agile, fearless and experienced bicyclists.

The AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Traffic Officials) "Guide to the Development of Bicycle Facilities" is the standard throughout the nation.

Frank