Skip to Content
Search

Findings

  • Bikeway Infrastructure
    • In general, collisions involving bicycles declined after installation of bikeway facilities. There were very few documented collisions between bicyclists and buses despite increased bicycling, especially on shared bike-bus lanes (SBBLs). In contrast to perception of some operators, bus speeds and service reliability remained largely the same. Roadway designs that offer greater separation is favored by both people riding bicycles and bus operators.
  • Planning Process
    • Early coordination with transit agencies and local bicycle interest groups can ensure design goals are met while supporting transit operations and safe bicycling. Bus operators can provide valuable input to improve design as they understand the specific needs of maneuvering on the street, especially at stops, and have daily first-hand experience and observations about the outcomes of design implementations.
  • Bus Operator Training
    • Training should address bike-bus interactions such as passing distance, “door zone,” and managing interactions. Agencies can help operators understand the perspectives of riding bikes in traffic through practical bicycle riding exercises and/or video of bike-bus interaction. There needs to be more sharing of information about changing road infrastructure and bike-bus interaction among operators and between agencies.
  • Bicycle Safety Education
    • Needs to address bike-bus interactions such as stay in view of side mirrors, communicate with eye contact and hand signals, and always pass on the left. Videos can effectively demonstrate the limited visibility and maneuverability of buses. Classes also needs to be provided where people are riding.
  • Study Corridors
    • 15 corridors were selected to represent a diversity of street typologies across LA County. The selection criteria encouraged a variety of street designs and prioritized streets with high numbers of buses and people on bicycles to ensure higher levels of interaction. The 15 corridors included 4 street treatment categories: standard bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, separated bikeways (also known as protected bike lanes), and shared bike-bus lanes (with bikes permitted).

Bus-Bike Interface Study Map