The popularity of paths for pedestrians and bicyclists is evident from the number of communities that are developing multi-use trails along canals, abandoned railroad and trolley lines, and utility corridors. Many communities, recognizing the quality of life and economic benefits of trails, are linking paths to form large trail systems.

If you are developing a shared-use facility, have you determined if your trails provide a high level of comfort, convenience, and service from the perspective of a bicyclist?

Here are some items, from a bicyclist’s point of view, to take into consideration.

• The more times a bicyclist meets and passes traffic (pedestrians, other bicyclists, etc.) going in the same direction, or encounters traffic going in the opposite direction, the higher the “irritation” level and the lower the perceived level of service. Why? Once bicyclists are up to their chosen speed, they do not like to slow down, speed up, or swerve to avoid conflicts.


• A key satisfaction gauge for bicyclists is the number of lanes in which they are able to maneuver. The more lanes, the more freedom they have to pass and maneuver around other users, particularly slower moving pedestrians. Increasing the number of lanes reduces the irritation factor of bicyclists and raises their perception of the level of service.


• Multiple narrower lanes are more acceptable to a bicyclist than one wider, shared-use lane.


• Although two-lane facilities are most common, three-lane paths offer a far superior bicycling experience.


• A shared-use, two-lane path should be at least 8 feet wide. A three-lane facility should be 10 feet wide. From a bicyclist’s perspective, three lanes (particularly in an urban area) are best because they provide plenty of room to maneuver around others.


• Unlike motorized vehicles, lane capacity and the ability to move from one point to another as quickly as possible are rarely most important to bicyclists. Multiple lanes and a low irritation level, as described above, are much more important.

Shared-use paths are no longer limited to campuses, which have relied on these for years because they have limited parking and a high volume of foot and bicycle traffic. Many communities view trails as desirable quality of life enhancements that the public has come to accept and expect. When analyzing an existing facility or designing a new one, examining it from a bicyclist’s point of view will make it more attractive and enjoyable for all users.