Parking Protected Bike Lanes
Parked cars = protection. Bikes ride by the curb while parked cars form a buffer from traffic.
What is it?
A parking-protected bike lane is a bike lane that runs between the sidewalk and parked cars, instead of next to moving traffic. The parked cars create a physical buffer that helps protect people biking from passing vehicles.
This design is commonly used on busy streets and in areas with higher traffic volumes, where extra separation improves comfort and safety for people of all ages and abilities.
How it Works
- The bike lane is placed next to the curb
- Parked cars sit between the bike lane and moving traffic
- A buffer zone separates the bike lane from parked cars to reduce risk of dooring (doors opening and hitting bikes)
- Flex posts, paint, or curbs may be used to reinforce the separation
Why It Matters
Parking-protected bike lanes:
- Reduce exposure to moving traffic
- Make biking feel safer and more comfortable
- Encourage more people to bike by providing clear separation
- Improve predictability for everyone on the street
This design is recognized as a best practice for creating low-stress bikeways on urban streets.
Where You’ll See It in Madison
Currently, only two parking-protected only bike lanes exist in Madison — along S. Bassett Street and a portion of the Wilson Street Cycletrack.
Tips for Drivers
- Park only in marked parking areas
- Check for people biking before opening doors
- Yield to people biking when turning across the bike lane
- Do not stop or load in the bike lane unless signed for that use
