We’ve talked about the different bike lane types, as the difference between a bike lane and a bike path, for that we believe that is time to know the shared bus bike lane, as the advantages and disadvantages (or differences) with a cycle path..
Take your helmet, bike kit tool. And let’s go…
What a Shared bus-bike lane is?
The shared bus bike lane is a lane where motorbikes and other non-motorized transports can circulate. Their main feature is the shared used with public transport, above all, buses. From there the name.
These lanes of shared use with cyclists delineate on existent roads. These are usually implemented on the already marked route that public transport follows.
In order to differentiate from others, is implemented horizontal signage to warn its exclusive use for buses and non-motorized transport. For that, is essential the installation of bike road marking on asphalt.
On the other hand, due the shared space between the two transports with a huge difference of speed, size and weight, is recommended to set speed humps, helping motorists of buses don’t circulate at a dangerous speed for cyclists.
Differences with a bike path
The differences with a bike path are a few, but significant. These are related, above all, with the channelization or separation and the measures.
While a cycle path is featured by being physically divided by physical barriers, such as confibicis and channelizers, that separate from the rest of vehicle traffic, the shared bus-bike lane can be delineated only with pavement marking.
Now, is common to find it signed through road studs, pavement markers or lane separators. However, these are so much smaller than confibicis.
Similarly, when a cyclist rides on a shared bus-bike lane, must be focus due sometimes buses will be behind. In a cycle path this doesn’t occurs, in this just ride non-motorized transports within it.
About the measures, the bike lane must have an average measure of 4.9 ft of width. In some sections or specific sections, these can be two lanes in opposite directions. An example of this last, is the bike way in Polanco.
On the other hand, the shared bus-bike lane, due to the size of buses must have a measure of 13.4 ft and 16.4 of width. In addition, it only flows on the direction of the public transport, meaning, can’t be on two lanes.
Advantages of the bus bike lane
By being an exclusive lane, optimize the times of transport for cyclists and public transport users. Due other motorists shouldn’t circulate on the same lane, it generates less traffic and the transportation is faster.
Thanks to buses that have a great capacity to transport people at the same time, it satisfies a great part of journeys in public transport. This help to reduce traffic congestion, compared to particular cars that many times transport people to one person and wastes three seats.
Another advantage is that the shared bus bike lane favors multi-modality and redistributes the public space. It’s a lane that allow the circulation of motorized transport, allowing another option of circulation.
These can’t replace bike lanes
It should be noted, that the bus bike lane has different advantages, mustn’t replace or substitute to cycle path. These last are lanes intended exclusively for cyclist, and for now, are the safest spaces for cyclists to transport in streets.
