Types of Bike Facilities

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Each of these cycling infrastructure types serves different purposes and provides varying levels of separation from motor vehicle traffic. Here’s how they differ:

Bike Path (Shared-Use Path or Multi-Use Path)
- A bike path is a dedicated path for bicyclists that is completely separated from motor vehicle traffic.
- It is often shared with pedestrians and other non-motorized users (such as joggers and skaters).
- Typically found in parks, greenways, or along rivers and rail corridors.
- Example: A paved trail through a park that bikes and pedestrians use together.
Bike Lane
- A bike lane is a designated lane on a roadway specifically for bicycles.
- It is marked with pavement striping, bike symbols, and sometimes signage.
- Typically located on the right side of the road and separated from traffic by a painted line.
- Some bike lanes have additional protection, such as flexible bollards, curbs, or parked cars (called protected bike lanes or cycle tracks).
- Example: A striped bike lane running alongside car lanes on a city street.
Shared Road (Sharrow or Shared Lane)
- A shared road does not have a dedicated space for bicycles but allows bicycles and motor vehicles to share the same lane.
- It is often marked with "sharrow" symbols (bike + chevron) to remind drivers that cyclists have the right to use the full lane.
- Typically used on roads where there isn't enough space for a separate bike lane but where biking is encouraged.
- Example: A narrow downtown street with a painted sharrow symbol indicating cyclists can ride in the traffic lane.
Neighborhood Greenway (Bicycle Boulevard)
- A neighborhood greenway is a low-traffic residential street optimized for biking and walking.
- Features may include speed humps, traffic diverters, stop sign modifications, and reduced speed limits to calm car traffic.
- They often connect parks, schools, and commercial areas to create a safer, more comfortable route for cyclists.
- Example: A quiet residential street with speed bumps and signage prioritizing bikes over through car traffic.

Each of these facilities plays a role in creating a safe and accessible cycling network, with varying levels of separation from vehicles and different intended uses.

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Can I ride my bike on sidewalks in the City?

No. Per the City’s Municipal Code Section 10.72.100, bicycle riding on sidewalks is prohibited. This law is in place for the safety of the bicyclists, pedestrians, community members in wheelchairs, and motorists.

Pedestrians, trash cans, benches, utility boxes, fire hydrants, sign posts, and cars coming in and out of driveways become obstacles to bicycle riding on the sidewalk and can be damaging to property, the bicycle rider or a pedestrian if hit. Sidewalks are designed for walking speeds, which are slower than a bicycle pace and are often not designed to share with other travelers. When faster speeds are introduced the situation can become hazardous.
Will my bicycle be detected at a traffic signal?

Most of the traffic signals in San Luis Obispo are designed to detect bicyclists at the intersection. Traffic signals with video detection will be able to detect the presence of a bicyclist. Traffic signals operating with a loop detector will have a small bicycle symbol painted in the center of the traffic lane. This symbol indicates where a bicyclist should position their bicycle to “trip” the signal. Other traffic signals (primarily in the downtown area) are operated by fixed time. These signals do not have detection of any kind and will continue to cycle through for traffic in all directions.

Please remember that bicyclists must abide by the California Vehicle Code and are required to obey all traffic signs and signals.
Are there bicycle education opportunities within San Luis Obispo?

The City partners with the Bike SLO County to offer bicycle education to students and residents to feel confident and comfortable on their bicycles. Workshops are taught by certified instructors and held throughout the year. For more information, visit the Education section on our Active Transportation page.
What is a bike box?

A bike box is a designated area at the front of a traffic lane at a signalized intersection that places the bicyclist ahead of queuing motor vehicle traffic during the red signal phase. The bike box increases visibility of bicyclists at intersections (the most common location for bicycle collisions).

It is also intended to prevent conflict between bicyclists and motorists continuing in different directions. For example, a bicyclist traveling straight through an intersection should be centered in the traffic lane giving a right turning motorist room to turn safely next to them. Likewise, a bicyclist turning left from a lane that can either turn left or go straight should be position in the center of the traffic lane in front of motor vehicles intending to travel straight so that their paths do not cross.
Can I bring my bike on the bus?

Yes! SLO Transit buses are equipped with bicycle storage racks on the front of their buses. SLORTA buses (county-wide buses) are also equipped with bicycle racks on both the front and rear of their buses.

When transporting your bicycle on the bus, as a courtesy, please exit the bus from the front door and remind the bus driver that you will be retrieving your bicycle.
Can people riding a bike be in the vehicle lane or do they have to move to the right?

The move-to-the-right rule is part of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21202. But it also allows a number of exceptions to the rule. One of those exceptions allows bicyclists to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right side. It also provides the following list of examples for those conditions: "including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes." It then goes on to define a substandard width lane as "a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane."
What does a green bike lane mean?

You may have seen some green bike lanes popping up around the city. Colored pavement when applied to bicycle facilities can act as a tool to alert motorists to the presence of bicyclists in known high conflict zones. The first green bike lanes were installed at the intersection of California and Monterey in 2012 following several bicycle/motor vehicle “right hook” collisions. A “right hook” collision is when a motorist turns right into the path of a bicyclist who is continuing straight. This type of collision is more likely to occur at intersections where a bike lane is on the right side of a traffic lane that vehicles can turn right from. Since the green bike lane was installed at California and Monterey in 2012 there have been no “right hook” bicycle collisions reported at this location.
What is a Sharrow?

Sharrows, or Shared Roadway Bicycle Markings, are intended to show both motorists and bicyclists the minimum distance that cyclists should ride from parked cars to avoid being hit by a suddenly opened car door. Riding too close to parked cars, in the "door zone," is a common mistake by bicyclists and can lead to serious injury. The markings are only used on streets where there isn't room for a striped bike lane.
What is the small bicycle symbol in the traffic lane at a signalized intersection?

This bicycle symbol in the center of the traffic lane is a loop detector for bicycles. When a bicycle is positioned above this symbol it will trigger the traffic signal using an induction “loop” buried in the street pavement. This will “trip” the traffic signal to give a green to the bicyclists.

Please remember that bicyclists must abide by the California Vehicle Code and are required to obey all traffic signs and signals.
Where can I park my bike?

Locking and securing your bike is easy with over 150 bike parking spaces throughout the City. Click here for the City's Bicycle Parking Map.

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Types of Bike Facilities

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