Construction projects often disrupt the public’s mobility and access. Proper planning for bicyclists through and along work zones is as important as planning for motor vehicle traffic. The states that the needs and control of all road users (motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians) through a temporary traffic control zone shall be an essential part of highway construction, utility work, maintenance operations, and the management of traffic incidents. Bicyclists should be expected on all roads unless prohibited (e.g., limited access highways), therefore work zone treatments such as temporary lane restrictions, detours, and other traffic control measures should be designed to accommodate bicyclists. Designers should incorporate the following recommendations into project construction plans:

Maintenance of bicycle travel should be included whenever the need for temporary traffic control is being considered. Designers and construction personnel should determine how to maintain existing bikeways during construction. Options include accommodating bicyclists through the work zone or providing a suitable alternate route with the least amount of detour necessary. It is preferable for the alternate route to direct bicyclists to a bikeway that is equal to or lower in traffic stress than the existing route.
Similar to other vehicular traffic, work zones should be compatible with bicycle travel. Work zone concerns for bicyclists may include road or path closures, sudden changes in elevation, construction equipment or materials, and other unexpected conditions. Accommodation in the work zone may result in the need for the construction of temporary facilities, including paved surfaces, structures, signs, and signals. The
TMUTCD
includes appropriate mode-specific detour guidelines in the section on temporary traffic controls. Where guidelines do not adequately cover a situation specific to bicycle use, designers should apply general vehicular guidelines and professional judgment.
Work zone signs, construction vehicles, and other related construction materials should not be stored or placed within bikeways or on sidewalks that are open for use. Workers who routinely perform maintenance and construction operations should be aware of these considerations.

For sections of separated bike lanes or shared use paths which are closed to bicyclists, advanced warning is necessary to allow bicyclists sufficient time and space to transition out of the bikeway. It is preferable for the transition to be kept as short as possible. This may require construction of temporary curb ramps to bicyclists to a street or sidewalk. It is also preferable to maintain physical separation from traffic where feasible, as separated bike lanes and shared use paths often attract people who are not comfortable operating in mixed traffic. In situations where higher volumes of bicyclists will have to share the lane with traffic, and those bicyclists are likely to include children, consideration should be given to providing a flagger to assist in the management of traffic flow. See for additional Temporary Traffic Control Guidance.