Bicycle lanes physically separated from traffic, known as "protected bikeways," are a growing urban infrastructure element that provides more space between the cyclists and motor vehicles. A growing number of cities
are implementing these systems, and a new study suggests that the lanes
can increase the number of people cycling and improve cyclists' level of
comfort on the streets.

New bicycle lanes separated from traffic increased ridership rose between 21 percent and 171 percent across six U.S. cities after the lanes were installed, according to a new study by Portland State University.

The "Lessons from the Green Lanes" report, sponsored by the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium, analyzes eight projects sponsored by PeopleForBikes, a Colorado advocacy group. Researchers tracked the impact of the new lanes in Austin, Chicago, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., by analyzing camera footage, interviewing cyclists, and sending out surveys to local residents.

The research found that the lanes increased participation in cycling generally, and almost half of riders
said they were cycling more frequently as a result of the new paths. The lanes produced a 10 percent net
increase on average.

"The increases appear to be greater than overall increases in bicycle commuting in each city," the report says. "Some of the increase in ridership at each facility likely came from new riders "?(R)? and some from riders diverted from other nearby streets."

More than half of residents said traffic had become more predictable as a result of the bike lanes, and the surveys showed support for the theory that bike lanes improve economic activity in an area. About 43 percent of residents said the lanes improve the desirability of their neighborhood, compared to 14 percent who said it detracted from desirability. Nineteen percent of cyclists and 20 percent of residents also said they were more likely to visits stores with the new bike lanes installed.

The full text of the study is available here.