New Bicycle Boulevard in Columbia: What is a bicycle boulevard and what to the markings mean? | Columbia Missourian

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

Ted Curtis, the Bike/Pedestrian Coordinator for the city, laid out instructions for interpreting the striping. He also emphasized the significance of the striped boulevard.

The striping on the road is for bikers, Curtis explained. The white lines mark the boundaries of the bike lane, and the yellow line is the center line. Bikers should ride on the right side of the yellow line in the direction they are going, just as they would do if they were driving.

“It’s important to have safe transportation for all people in the area,” Curtis said. “When they use the road for biking, it needs to be as safe as possible.”Bike boulevards are often put on roads that don’t see much car traffic, Curtis said. While on bike boulevard roads, drivers should yield to bikers and may pass with caution.

“The striped boulevard is the safest place for them to ride,” Curtis said. “It’s narrow, but it’s still on the road and it’s important for visibility.”

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New Bicycle Boulevard in Columbia: What is a bicycle boulevard and what to the markings mean? | Columbia Missourian

MoBikeFed comment: Bicycle Boulevards have been a staple of bicycle planning and infrastructure across the U.S. for years, but are a relatively new facility in Missouri.

What are Bicycle Boulevards and what are they for? The National Association of City Transportation Officials has a good explanation:

Bicycle boulevards are streets with low motorized traffic volumes and speeds, designated and designed to give bicycle travel priority. Bicycle Boulevards use signs, pavement markings, and speed and volume management measures to discourage through trips by motor vehicles and create safe, convenient bicycle crossings of busy arterial streets.

Many local streets with low existing speeds and volumes offer the basic components of a safe bicycling environment. These streets can be enhanced using a range of design treatments, tailored to existing conditions and desired outcomes, to create bicycle boulevards.

More at https://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/bicycle-bouleva...