An Inventory of Protected Bike Lanes

Cities around the United States have built nearly as many protected bike lanes in the past two years as they did in the previous 140.

1 minute read

February 4, 2015, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Vancouver Protected Bike Lane

Paul Krueger / Flickr

The Green Lane Project released an updated inventory of protected bike lanes around the country, noting the quick rate of adoption for the most robust form of bike infrastructure. "Between 1874 and 2011, only 78 of these facilities were built nationwide. Our inventory shows that this number nearly doubled to 138 protected bike lanes witin [sic] the first two years of the Green Lane Project. 60 percent of the new lanes were in the Green Lane Project's six founding focus cities: Austin (6), Chicago (17), Memphis (1), Portland (2), San Francisco (9) and Washington DC (2). By the end of 2014, 191 protected lanes were on the ground across the country."

The main purpose of the post is to share an updated inventory of current protected bike lanes in North America, which is available in Google Drive as well as for download, but the Green Lane project has also prepared the video below to explain the differences between protected bike lanes and other forms of bike infrastructure. 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015 in Green Lane Project

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8, 2024 - Ruscena Wiederholt

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

Bird's eye view of empty asphalt parking lot with one blue car.

Parking Reform Can Boost Homebuilding 40 to 70 Percent

More evidence that parking flexibility is key to housing abundance.

December 13 - Sightline

Close-up of "Shared Use Path" sign for pedestrians and cyclists on post in urban setting.

California Adds Complete Streets to Transportation Funding Guidelines

The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.

December 13 - Streetsblog California

Aerial view of downtown Omaha, Nebraska with holiday lights at sunset.

Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds

The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.

December 13 - KMTV 3 News Now

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.