Railroad tracks that interface with bikeways can be hazardous to bicyclists. The following design considerations are important for bikeways located near tracks:

Design the bicycle crossing of the tracks to be between 60 degrees and 90 degrees;
Provide, as practical, the best track surface treatment for bicyclists;
Provide firm, stable, and slip-resistant pavement;
Reduce the flangeway width;
Provide clear delineation with pavement markings that indicates to bicyclists where they should travel to cross railroad tracks at an optimal location;
Provide warning signs to alert bicyclists of the crossing; and
Provide adequate sight distances for approaching bicyclists to see the crossing ahead.

Generally, there are two conditions for bikeways and railroad interfaces: tracks located parallel to the bikeway, and tracks located crossing the bikeway.

Tracks that are located parallel to a bikeway can be located in the street (e.g., streetcar) or adjacent to the roadway. These tracks are potentially hazardous to bicyclists, both when travelling parallel to the track and when crossing over the track.

While traveling parallel to the track, a bicyclist’s wheel may fall into the flangeway if they travel too close to the track. This may be particularly noteworthy where bikeways are located in the street, in close proximity to rail tracks. In this case, the bikeway should be clearly delineated, and the distance between the bikeway and the track should be maximized.

Bicyclists may need to cross parallel tracks when turning onto or off of the corridor. When turning right, bicyclists should be encouraged (through pavement markings) to cross the track at an angle between 60-degrees and 90- degrees. This reduces the chance of a bicycle wheel falling into the flangeway and a bicyclist slipping on the rail. If tracks are located to the left of the bikeway, bicyclists should be encouraged to use a two-stage turn box to turn left so that they cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle. shows the design detail of a bikeway crossing parallel tracks.

Railroad tracks that cross a street typically cross at an angle near 90-degrees. shows an example treatment for a bikeway crossing railroad tracks at a skew.

(Refer to the and for additional signing and pavement marking guidance.)