Buffered Bike Lane
A buffered bike lane is similar to a regular bike lane, but also includes a marked buffer between the bike lane and adjacent travel lanes. The purpose of a buffered bike lane is to provide extra elbow room for bicyclists to increase safety.
The buffer is placed between the bike lane and travel lane The buffer is marked with white chevrons to indicate that no vehicles are allowed to travel in the buffered area.
Buffered bike lanes are currently located on 1st Ave S between E 40th and 33rd Sts and on Fremont Ave N between N Plymouth and Lowry Aves.
When you drive:
- A buffered bike lane is restricted to bicycle traffic, except in instances when you need to turn or enter or leave the roadway.
- You are not allowed to drive in the bike lane or buffered area, even to pass other motorists.
- Whenever you must cross a bike lane to prepare for a turn, look over your right shoulder for bicyclists approaching the intersection. If a bicyclist is approaching the intersection, you must yield and let them pass before turning.
When you bike:
- Don’t ride the wrong way in a buffered bike lane. The buffered area is not intended for opposite flow bicycle traffic.
- Whenever you enter or exit the bike lane, make sure to signal and yield to vehicles already in adjacent travel lanes.
Download printer-friendly versions of these materials:
Buffered Bike Lanes Handout (pdf)
Last updated Feb. 1, 2012