Protected bike lanes have many benefits – some of which might surprise you. While they clearly benefit cyclists, protected bike lanes can increase safety for pedestrians and reduce potential traffic accidents. Many cities where it is more convenient to bike than take a car have protected bike lanes.
Protected bike lanes aim to provide a dedicated space for cyclists to traverse and distance themselves from automobiles passing by. They create a solution that goes beyond helping cyclists and plays a major role in cutting down carbon emissions and standardizing cyclists’ behaviors.
Fewer Injuries
A dedicated path to traverse allows bikers and drivers to stay out of each other’s way. Some studies have shown that bike lanes can reduce traffic accidents by 80 percent in crowded areas. While some bike lanes are delineated with a white strip, many cities include barriers between bike lanes and sidewalks. This step goes a long way to ensure the safety of bikers, drivers, and pedestrians. Protected bike lanes aren’t just beneficial for cyclists, but they also benefit drivers.
Regulating Traffic
With protected bike lanes, bikers don’t have to resort to dodging through cars or people. A dedicated lane allows bikers and drivers to stay safe within their boundaries and avoid accidents. It improves the flow of traffic and encourages civil behavior on the roads. A recent study reported a 161% rise in bikers following the addition of protected bike lanes.
Safer Sidewalks
Protected lanes ensure bikers do not take the sidewalks, thereby endangering the safety of pedestrians. When bikers and pedestrians do not have to share the same route, it results in fewer accidents and safer sidewalks. On the other hand, protected bike lanes boost pedestrian traffic which has several benefits for curbside stores and businesses.
Better For The Environment
Adding more bikers and fewer cars to our roads is the first step towards achieving environmental sustainability. Besides reducing fuel consumption and making public transportation safer, bike lanes promote civility on roads. Every person who switches to biking over driving plays a crucial part in reducing air pollution. Some studies have indicated that choosing bikes over cars for smaller commutes can reduce carbon emissions by 2,000 pounds every year.
Boost Curbside Sales
Protected bike lanes can help businesses and stores that rely on pedestrian traffic. As more and more people feel safer walking on the sidewalks, storefronts experience an uptick in activity. Many municipalities, including NYC and Portland, saw businesses reporting an increase in sales post-installation of protected bike lanes. Safer streets equate to more pedestrian traffic, which benefits storefront sales.
Health Benefits
Biking is not only good for the environment, but it also has many health benefits for individuals. Bike lanes create a feeling of safety for cyclists and pedestrians, thereby, pushing more people to take healthier modes of transportation. For instance, a 2-mile bike ride can burn up to 100 calories and decrease the chances of health problems like dementia, obesity, depression, cardiovascular disease, and issues related to blood pressure.
Design Ideas for Bike Lanes
- Adding planters, fences, and light poles is a guaranteed way of boosting the appeal of bike lanes.
- Bike lanes designed to accommodate parking space for cars can reduce congestion in intersections and other crowded areas.
- Many cities put up billboards and posts on sidewalks to boost pedestrian traffic.
Adding protected bike lanes is a guaranteed way to reduce road accidents and help the environment. They promise various benefits to city dwellers and commuters by offering a reliable and safe mode of transportation. To learn more about enhancing bike lanes with environmentally friendly products like resin planters, bollards and light poles (we carry decorative bases), contact TerraCast today.