Roadway Design Preferences Among Drivers and Bicyclists in the Bay Area

Two trends in the United States—increased bicycling and growing enthusiasm for complete streets—suggest that practitioners need a better understanding of how roadway users view roadway designs meant to accommodate multiple users. Studies that have examined bicyclists’ preferences for roadway design have not always included non-cyclists’ opinions—even those who would consider bicycling in the future. Moreover, little research has investigated the preferences of the motorists who share the road with cyclists—despite the fact that motorists are still the vast majority of roadway users in the U.S. This paper presents results from a recent internet survey examining perceived comfort while driving and bicycling on various roadways among 263 non-bicycling drivers, bicycling drivers, and non-driving bicyclists in the Bay Area. Analysis of variance tests revealed that drivers and bicyclists are more comfortable on roadways with separated bicycling facilities than on roadways with shared space. In particular, roadway designs with barrier-separated bicycle lanes were the most popular among all groups, regardless of bicycling frequency. Striped bicycle lanes, a common treatment in the U.S., 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. These findings corroborate research on bicyclists’ preferences for roadway design and contribute a new understanding of motorists’ preferences. They also provide further evidence of the disconnect between roadway users’ preferences and the designs encouraged by current engineering guidelines.