Denver Moves: Neighborhood Bikeways

Neighborhood bikeways are low-volume, low-speed streets designed to prioritize people who are biking, walking, and rolling by using design elements such as signage, pavement markings, speed and/or volume reduction features, and crossing improvements. They are also sometimes called bicycle boulevards or neighborhood greenways.

Benefits of Neighborhood Bikeways

• Comfort: Provide a comfortable shared street environment for people of all ages and abilities to get around
• Safety: Slow motor vehicle speeds, improve the safety and convenience of road crossings, and create safe pathways for students to walk to school
• Wayfinding and connectivity: Help people cycling, walking, and rolling to find their way, remind cars to share the road, and improve connectivity to popular destinations
• Sustainability: Promote transportation methods other than driving, decrease pollution from emissions, and improve air quality

Watch this video to learn more about Neighborhood Bikeways in Denver.

Elements of Neighborhood Bikeways

Separated or protected bike lanes are not generally necessary along neighborhood bikeways because the street design itself creates a calm traffic environment that promotes multimodal transportation. They may contain design elements such as:

Medians

Islands in the center of the roadway that create pinchpoints for cross traffic and offer shorter crossing distances for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Mini Traffic Circles

A circular intersection that reduces traffic speeds by requiring motorists to move cautiously through conflict points.

Wayfinding

Signs, and in some cases pavement markings, that help bicyclists remain on the designated route and navigate to popular destinations.

Pinchpoints

A traffic calming measure that narrows the road to restrict motorists from operating at high speeds on local streets.

Diverters

Paint/flex posts or concrete that prevent vehicles from turning or traveling through onto a particular street, but still allows people walking and bicycling to do so.

Curb Extensions

A traffic-calming measure that extends the curb at intersections to slow motor vehicle speeds, shorten crossing distances, and allow pedestrians and bicyclists to more easily cross streets.

Speed Cushions

An elevated part of a road, similar to a speed hump, intended to slow passenger vehicles.

Pavement Markings

Markings used on paved roadways to provide information and guidance to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

Chicanes

A series of curb extensions, pinch points, parking bays, or landscaping features placed on alternate sides of the road to create a narrowed, curved segment of roadway.