AARP Livable Communities

Pop-Up Recipes for Bike Lanes

5 demonstration projects that can inspire better cycling spaces

Bicycle lanes are fun, easy and popular pop-up projects. There are many ways to create a demonstration bike lane. This album is an excerpt from The Pop-Up Placemaking Tool Kit, a free publication by AARP and the planning and design firm Team Better Block.

Green Bike Lane

Bike lanes provide a designated space for bicyclists to ride on a street. The colored pavement increases the path's visibility, identifies areas of potential danger, reinforces the right-of-way of bicyclists and discourages drivers from parking illegally. 

Green Bike Lane
Akron, Ohio | Photo by Team Better Block

Limitless Lane

With a limitless lane, which is wider than a traditional bike lane, a portion of the street is set aside for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as people using wheelchairs , scooters, horse or other nonmotorized vehicles. 

Limitless Lane
Fort Wayne, Indiana | Photo by Team Better Block

Raised Cycle Tracks 

These types of lanes are set slightly higher than the roadway. Many are paired with a "furnishing zone" (shown) to further separate the cycle track from motor vehicles or pedestrians or both.

Raised Cycle Track
Des Moines, Iowa | Photo by Team Better Block

Buffered Bike Lane 

Adding a painted double line, or delineator, increases the visability of a bicycle lane and protects cyclists from open car doors.

Buffered Bike Lane
Des Moines, Iowa | Photo by Team Better Block

Two-Way Cycle Track 

When only one side of the street can accommondate bicycles, a two-lane, two-way path is a useful and safe alternative.

Two-way Cycle Track
Pittsfield, Massachusetts | Photo by Team Better Block
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Page published November 2019


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