NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide

The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.

1 minute read

January 8, 2025, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Cyclist on bike in green painted bike lane at intersection with three-story buildings in background.

jStock / Adobe Stock

A newly revised guide from the  National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) outlines best practices and recommendations for street design that prioritizes bikeways. “Endorsed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and recognized in federal law, the Urban Bikeway Design Guide is used by hundreds of municipalities, state DOTs, and regional agencies across the U.S. and Canada to design streets that are safe and accessible for people biking.”

The guide outlines how cities can easily and affordably implement safety and mobility improvements. “The new edition includes detailed policy, planning, and project development guidance to ensure connected bikeable streets become standard practice. It also shows how to center equity and access in every step of planning and implementing a bike network–addressing inequities caused by the transportation system and building collaborative partnerships with historically marginalized groups of residents.”

The newest edition acknowledges new types of mobility such as e-bikes and scooters and includes more detailed design practices that improve safety for all road users. The guide also offers advice in network planning, community engagement, and maintenance needs.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)

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