On-road Bicycle Facilities (Lanes and Shoulders)

On-road facilities are the most important to bicyclists because they are accessible anywhere in the region. On-road facilities include shared lanes, wide outside lanes, bike lanes (in urban areas), and paved shoulders (in rural areas). These facilities all require bicyclists and drivers of motor vehicles to interact together on the roadway--especially at intersections and driveway locations.

On-road facilities include all roadways, bridges and viaducts in the region, except those that specifically prohibit bicycles (e.g., interstates, freeways, and limited access highways). On some roads, bicycles and motor vehicles share either a standard lane (10' - 12') or a wide outside lane (14'). A standard bike lane is a 5 foot lane (not including curb and gutter or drainage grates) located on both sides of the roadway for the exclusive use of bicycles. Bike lanes are generally found in urban areas. Paved shoulders (varying in width from 4' to 10') are generally found in more rural areas.

In most states, including Ohio and Kentucky, bicycles are legally vehicles, and bicyclists are required to obey the same "rules of the road" that motor vehicle drivers do. An important corollary to this is that bicyclists should travel on the right, except when passing another vehicle.

One indicator of the importance of on-road facilities is the number of bicycle commuter miles that are traveled each year. In 2004, the Cincinnati Cycle Club recorded 41,814 commuter miles. A second indicator comes from the 20 bicyclists who helped with the 1995 update of the Ohio Bike Route Guides. During 1994, these 20 bicyclists each averaged 4300 bicycle miles of travel--most of which occurred on the roadway network. Most Cincinnati Cycle Club events use the road network.

In Kentucky, the major bicycle corridors are primarily shared roadways that traverse Northern Kentucky and provide opportunities for north-south and east-west travel. These roads--or appropriate alternates--are recommended for planning and funding priority for bicycle improvements including wide lanes, paved shoulders, bike lanes, edge-striping, and signage. Kentucky 8, one of the most popular bike routes in Northern Kentucky, was recommended for development as a 30 mile bicycle facility in the Northern Kentucky Quest Report.