An article in Transportation Research looks at how drivers and bicyclists view Complete Streets, or roadway designs that are meant to accommodate multiple users. The researchers used an internet-based survey to examine perceived comfort while driving and bicycling on various roadways among 265 non-bicycling drivers, bicycling drivers, and non-driving bicyclists in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Analysis of variance tests revealed that both drivers and bicyclists are more comfortable on roadways with separated bicycling facilities than those with shared space. In particular, roadways with barrier-separated bicycle lanes were the most popular among all groups, regardless of bicycling frequency. Striped bicycle lanes, a common treatment in the United States, received mixed reviews: a majority of the sample believed that they benefit cyclists and drivers through predictability and legitimacy on the roadway, but the lanes were rated significantly less comfortable than barrier-separated treatments—particularly among potential bicyclists.
Finding highlights include
- Most drivers reported greater comfort with more separation from bikes.
- Most cyclists reported greater comfort with more separation from cars.
- Few cyclists, particularly potential cyclists, feel comfortable in shared space.
- Bicycle lanes were associated with greater predictability of cyclists' behavior.
- Bicycle lanes were believed to tell drivers to expect cyclists on the roadway.