Determination of Minimum One-Way Bicycle Lane Width Considering Cyclists' Maneuvers

Abstract

As cycling became more popular in the Philippines post-pandemic, safe and efficient bicycle infrastructure has become more necessary. Design guidelines for one-directional bicycle lanes specify a 2.44-meter width to allow abreast riding and overtaking maneuvers. However, this lacks an empirical basis. To remedy this issue, this study investigates the appropriate bicycle lane width considering observed cyclist interactions. A controlled experiment was conducted to observe cyclists’ behavior under abreast and overtaking conditions for various bicycle lane classes. Using Binomial Logistic Regression, results show the minimum comfort width for Class I and Class II lanes are 2.66 meters and 2.72 meters, respectively, indicating that the current guidelines are insufficient. In addition, the study found that protective barriers around a bike lane can reduce comfortable overtaking space, thereby decreasing the required minimum bicycle lane width. This study aims to contribute to literature that promotes cyclist comfort and increased safety of cycling infrastructure.