Bike lane

In the United States, a designated bicycle lane (1988 MUTCD) or class II bikeway (Caltrans) is always marked by a solid white stripe on the pavement and is for 'preferential use' by bicyclists.

Research shows that separated[contradictory] bike lanes improve the safety of bicyclists,[1][2] and either have positive or non-significant economic effects on nearby businesses.

[5] In a 2024 assessment of existing research, the U.S. Department of Transportation concluded that "separated bicycle lanes have an overall improved safety performance.

[9][4] These findings run contrary to a popular sentiment that bike lanes have an adverse effect on local economic activity.

[3] According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) bike lanes are an exclusive space for cyclists by using pavement markings and signage.

[11] The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHA) gives standards of how bike lanes should be implemented regarding pavement markings and signage.

[15] However, many parts of Japan have been slow to adopt effective and safe means of transport,[citation needed] so in recent times there have been steps taken to promote biking in the nation's largest city, Tokyo.

[19] There has been increasing concern over biking accidents in China; a case study in Shanghai found that the most desperate need is to alter unprotected to protected cycle lanes.