18.5.1 Principles of Intersection Design
18.5.1.1 Minimize exposure to conflicts
Intersections with bikeways should be designed to minimize bicyclist exposure to motorized traffic and minimize bicyclist conflicts with both motorists and pedestrians. Exposure to conflicts can be eliminated with:
- Geometric design treatments;
- Restricting turn movements;
- Providing traffic signal phasing that manages conflicts; or
- Providing grade separation where appropriate.
Where elimination of conflicts is not possible or practical, intersection designs should limit the amount of time and space where bicyclists are exposed to moving or crossing traffic in locations where:
- Bicyclists cross multiple vehicular travel lanes;
- Bicyclists operate between moving vehicular travel lanes;
- Bicyclists wait in areas exposed to moving motor vehicle traffic (e.g., waiting to turn left in a shared lane);
- Motorists merge with, or turn across the path of, bicyclists; and
- Bicyclists cross pedestrian travel paths or other bikeways.
A primary concern for safety and comfort on facilities where bicyclists and pedestrians operating in shared space is the relatively higher speeds bicyclist operate compared to pedestrians. To mitigate crash risk between bicyclists and pedestrians and improve comfort for both users it is important to:
- Provide clear sight distance between pedestrians and approaching bicyclists at locations where bicyclists cross a pedestrian facility (see );
- Provide facilities with widths which can accommodate the volume of users; or
- Separate bicyclists from pedestrians.
18.5.1.2 Reduce speeds at conflict points
If conflict points cannot be eliminated, intersection design should minimize the speed differential between users at the points where travel movements intersect by reducing motorist speeds at these locations. Intersections where bicyclists operate should be designed to ensure slow speed motorist turning movements (10 mph or less) and weaving movements (20 mph or less) across the path of bicyclists.
18.5.1.3 Communicate right of way priority
Intersection design should provide bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists with cues that both clearly establish which user(s) have the right of way and consistently communicate expected stopping or yielding behavior.
Traffic control devices should communicate the priority right of way through the provision of:
- Marked crosswalks at shared use path crossings;
- Marked bicycle crossings of roadways and driveways;
- Audible and vibrotactile devices for people with disabilities at crossings of bikeways where appropriate;
- Marked pedestrian crossings of bikeways;
- Regulatory or warning signs for crossing, merging, or turning traffic where appropriate; and
- Signalization where appropriate
18.5.1.4 Provide adequate sight distance
It is necessary to provide adequate sight distances and visibility between bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians as they approach intersections. Adequate sight distance is needed to perceive, react to, and avoid potential conflicts. See
for more details.
18.5.1.5 Provide clear transition between bikeway types
Intersections are likely to be locations where bicyclists transition between different types of bikeways. These transitions should be intuitive to all users of the intersection. Transitions from off-street bikeways to on-street facilities should be clearly communicated with advance warning signs to bicyclists and in some instances, motorists where bicyclists entering the roadway may be unexpected. Advance warning signs or pavement markings should be considered at locations where a bikeway may unexpectedly narrow at a transition. Transitions can also benefit from the provision of wayfinding to guide users along the preferred path of travel. It is also important to provide clear and direct paths for pedestrians across bikeways. Protected intersection designs may reduce the likelihood that pedestrians will use a bike lane as a walkway. See
for more details.
18.5.1.6 Accommodate people with disabilities
Intersections must be designed in accordance with accessibility guidelines. Designs should ensure that people with limited or no vision are given sufficient cues to prevent them from unintentionally moving into the street or a bike-only bikeway. See
and other general information in the pedestrian guidance.