Using Bicycle Facilities

Bicycles are an important part of our Active Transportation system. People on bikes are not just half pedestrian and half driver. Lancaster County is investing in bicycles as a valid way to travel. Facilities made for bicycles are being built into our roads and trails. Many of these designs are new to the area. Here we have some useful tips on how to use bicycle facilities, and a guide to some of the road markings that are made to support bike use.

Bicycle Safety and PA Bike Laws

PennDOT keeps a great comprehensive page of relevant PA bike laws and safety tips here. Below are a few highlights from that page:

“Bikes may be ridden on the shoulder of the road (in the same direction as the flow of traffic) but are not required to do so.”
“Motor vehicles must allow 4 feet of distance when overtaking a bicycle and travel at a careful and prudent speed.”
“No person shall open any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with traffic flow.”
“Pedestrians have the right-of-way on sidewalks and bicycle paths. You must give an audible signal as you approach and pass a pedestrian.”
“Automobiles are not required to yield to bicycles being ridden across a crosswalk (at a trail crossing for example) as the bicycle is treated as a vehicle. A better choice is to dismount and walk your bike across.”

- PennDOT, June 2021

Trail Bicycle Etiquette

Road crossings are often the most dangerous section of a trail. Be patient with other trail users and yield to vehicles when you cross a road.

Using a bicycle on a trail means sharing it with many other users. This can include pedestrians, scooters, wheelchairs, strollers, horses, and more. There are a few rules of thumb you can use to keep the trail a safe and comfortable environment:

When passing other users, always pass on the left.
Give a clear signal that you are about to pass, such as saying “On your left!” or ringing a bicycle bell.
Know and follow the rules to the individual trail. Trail rules are usually posted at trailheads.
Be predictable: try to ride in a straight line and signal when you intend to change directions.
Try to use only half of the width of the trail. In groups, only bicycle side by side on one half of the trail.
Be courteous to other users and do not litter.

Bicycle Road Markings Guide

Sharrow

Two arrows above a bicycle symbol mean that this road lane should be shared equally by cars and bicycles. As with any other road, cars must give bicycles 4 feet of space when passing them, and may cross the yellow centerlines to do so.

Bike Boulevard

A low-speed road designated for more travel on bike or on foot. People using Active Transportation should be understood as the main users of this road.

Green Shared Lane

Same as a sharrow. These are used to remind people that bicyclists lawfully belong in the center lane when road conditions are appropriate.

Green Bike Lane

Green lanes are used to signal to car drivers that they should yield to bicycles within this space. Parts of intersections are sometimes given green areas to remind turning drivers to be mindful of bicyclists.

Bike Box

These markings help bicyclists turn left at a red light by putting them ahead of car traffic. Cars should stop before the first white line to wait for the light to change.

Bike Lane

Bicyclists should use this section of the road when possible. Cars should try to keep to the left of this lane.

Advisory Bike Lane

These lanes are commonly used on lanes that are too thin to accommodate all types of traffic at the same time. For example, a low traffic two-way road without a yellow centerline might expect cars to drive down the middle until the two cars need to pass each other. Then, the cars will each drift into the advisory bicycle lanes on their side of the road to pass, being mindful of bicyclists as they do so.

Buffered Bike Lane

Provide more breathing room to bicyclists than a normal bike lane. Allows bicyclists to pass each other without taking the extra risk of going into the car lane. Bicyclists nay also used the buffer area to stay out of the swing range of parked car doors.

Bike Way

A two-way protected bike lane. May have traffic posts to separate them from car lanes.

Parking Protected Bike Lane

A protected bike lane that has a parking lane between the car and bike lanes.

Contact:
Kristiana Barr
Senior Planner
Land Use and Transportation Team
Lancaster County Planning Department
150 N. Queen Street, Suite 320
Lancaster, PA 17603
KBarr@lancastercountypa.gov
(717) 299-8333