Description
Application
Advantages
Disadvantages
Design Considerations
Implementation Challenges
Example Cities

Boulder, CO	Portland, OR	Vancouver, Canada (Chris Brunn)

Description
A one-way motorized traffic street with two-way bicycle facilities, including an opposite direction bicycle only lane.

Application

• One-way auto traffic streets.
• Narrow streets where on‐street parking and bicycle accessibility are given priority over traffic accessibility.
• Where two-way connections between bicycle facilities are needed along one-way motorized streets.

Advantages

• Provides direct access and connectivity for bicycles traveling in both directions.
• Influences motorist choice of routes without limiting bicycle traffic.
• Cyclists do not have to make detours as a result of one‐way traffic.

Disadvantages

• Limits on automobile parking might be needed on side with contra-flow lane.
• Possibility of illegal loading or parking in contra-flow lane.

Design/Maintenance Considerations

• Accompanying signage needed.
• Contra-flow lane can be separated from motor vehicle lane by a solid double yellow line or physical barrier.
• Ensure contra-flow lane is exclusively for bicycles by employing bike lane striping with legal status.
• Clearly distinguish contra-flow lane with markings.
• Consider colorized pavement.
• When space permits, employ physical separation between bike lane and travel lane.
• Determine modifications needed to existing traffic control devices.

Implementation Obstacles

• Outreach to stakeholders such as adjacent business and neighbors may be required.
• Conversion from two-way requires elimination of one direction of auto travel.

Example Cities

• Boulder, CO
• Cambridge, MA
• Chicago, IL
• London, UK
• Madison, WI
• Minneapolis, MN
• Portland, OR
• San Francisco, CA
• Washington, D.C.
• Multiple cities, Netherlands
• Multiple cities, Germany

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