3.4D Planter-protected bike lanes

Operation

Planter-protected bike lanes may be designed for one-way or two-way bicycle traffic.

Gutter pan considerations

Delineator-protected bike lanes directly adjacent to the curb should generally include a minimum of 4 feet of smooth, ridable surface, excluding any adjacent gutter pan. In very constrained right of way where every consideration has been taken to narrow roadway street zones, 3.5’ of smooth, ridable surface can be used for short stretches.

Planter spacing

Planters should be centered in the buffer area and spaced at 10’ to 30’ increments with closer spacing where vehicular encroachment into the bike lane is anticipated.

Signage

Type-3 object markers should be installed on or near the end of each planter oriented towards the adjacent travel lane to improve visibility.

Plastic delineators

Plastic delineators should augment planter-protected bikeways and should be installed in the center of the buffer area at regular increments in the gaps between planters. 

Full street reconstructions

Permanent planters or planted boulevards should be used to physically separate the bikeway from motorized traffic during full street reconstructions.

Bike lane dimensions

Should include a minimum of 4 feet of smooth, ridable surface, excluding any adjacent gutter pan.

Buffer width

While planter width varies, a minimum buffer width of 4’ should be assumed for adequate clearance, and a minimum of 1’ clearance should be maintained from the planters to the adjacent travel lane and the bikeway operating space.

Planter dimensions

Planters may range in height from 22” to 36” (not including the plantings). To maintain adequate sightlines, planters should not be located within 30’ of intersection approaches, or within 20’ of approaching driveways, alleys, or any vehicular mixing/conflict zones.

Maintenance

1. A plan for ongoing planter maintenance responsibilities should be identified and coordinated in advance of implementation.
2. Consider maintenance needs when determining buffer and bike lane widths to provide suitable access for watering, pruning, cleaning, and other routine maintenance and snow clearance/removal.
3. Should maintain a minimum width of 6’ between the planter and curb to accommodate routine maintenance and snow clearance/removal.

Parking lane considerations

Parking lanes adjacent to planter-protected bikeways should be located between the bike lane buffer and travel lane, and a minimum bikeway buffer width of 4’ should be assumed. To allow access across the bikeway from the parking lanes, 6’ gaps in planter spacing should be assumed at the ends of each parking stall. In areas with high parking utilization, it may be helpful to stripe parking stalls to maximize parking efficiency.

ADA considerations

Designers should implement strategies to support ADA access to parking spots, bus stops, and Metro Mobility drop off points along protected bike lanes. Additional details will be forthcoming in a future update to the Street Design Guide.

Intersection guidance

See also bikeway intersection design guidance.