Bicyclist Considerations

Throughout the state there are many routes that bicyclists frequently travel and need to be considered for safety and ease of use by evaluating different size aggregates. Coordination with the District Seal Coat Coordinators and District Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinators is key in identifying these high traffic bicycle routes to better accommodate others using this mode of transportation.
Past research has shown that smoother surfaces are desirable for bicyclists. When placing a seal coat as a final driving surface, consider one of the following low cost options to provide an improved riding surface for bicycles:
  • Use a smaller seal coat aggregate,
  • Use a smaller seal coat aggregate on the shoulders,
  • Use fog seal on existing seal coated shoulders rather than a new seal coat, or
  • Use smaller aggregate for the top course of multiple course seal coats.
In areas of high bicycle traffic where skid values are an issue, consider using a hot-mix overlay in that segment.