18.1.7 Design Exceptions and Waivers for Dimensional Values of Bicycle Facilities

As previously discussed, the process for deciding if projects can be exempt from providing bicycle facilities does not require a design exception or design waiver. However, if a project includes bicycle facilities and the preferred bicycle facility type cannot meet the respective criteria or thresholds, designers can select the next best facility type following the guidance in
Section 18.2.5
. A design exception or design waiver is needed if the minimum criteria for the selected facility is not met.
18.1.7.1 Urbanized Context (Urban Core/Urban/Suburban/Rural Town)
18.1.7.1.1 Design Exceptions Bike Lane:
 If the minimum width specified in
Appendix A
is not met
Shared Lane (Wide Outside Lane):
 : If the traffic volume, speed, or width criteria (14-ft maximum, 13-ft minimum) specified in
Appendix A
is not met
18.1.7.1.2 Design Waivers Shared Use Path (Independent alignment or sidepath):
 If the minimum width criteria (minimum 10-ft, 8-ft constrained), buffer width, and other geometric criteria specified in
Appendix B
, and the associated
AASHTO Bike Design
criteria are not met.
Separated Bike Lane/Buffered Bike Lane:
 If the minimum criteria specified in
Appendix B
are not met.
18.1.7.2 Rural Context
18.1.7.2.1 Design Exceptions Shared Lane (Wide Outside Lane):
 If the traffic volume, speed, or width criteria (14-ft maximum, 13-ft minimum) specified in
Appendix A
are not met.
18.1.7.2.2 Design Waivers Shared Use Path (Independent alignment or sidepath):
If the minimum width criteria (minimum 10-ft, 8-ft constrained), buffer width, and other geometric criteria specified in
Appendix B
, and the associated
AASHTO Bike Design
criteria are not met. For an unconstrained condition, a design waiver is required if width is between 8 to 10-ft. Any width below 8-ft will not be considered a bicycle accommodation or two-way shared use path operation. Widths between 6 ft and 8 ft would require one-way operation for bicyclists and may result in increased conflicts between bicyclists and pedestrians.
Bike Accessible Shoulder:
 For new construction, reconstruction, or widening projects in a rural setting where ROW is being acquired, a Design Waiver is required if a minimum width defined in
Appendix B
for each bikeway type is not provided unless a SUP is being provided for bike accommodations (see
Section 18.4
)