In Barcelona, several new two-way bike lanes have been constructed in the central median of avenues. Usually, this design is used in wide two-way streets (at least 20 m wide) with several lanes for cars (or for buses). It's a design that some designers say that is safe for bicycle and car interaction, easy to implement and does not affect much car mobility, but is it really convenient for bikes?
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| Design from the bike lane design guide of Barcelona |
Junctions and crossings
The biggest problem of this design solution are junctions and how to manage all the possible turns that each mean of transport might legally do. The worst case scenario may occur when two two-way bike lanes cross each other and at least one of them is a central one.
The central median two-way bike lane is far away from the sidewalks and the perpendicular streets. How does a cyclist turn left or right? There is usually not enough space for the cyclist to wait for the green light and turn. How do cyclists start or end their trips? How do they go to the sidewalk? Do they dismount? Do they have bicycle crossings next tot the pedestrian crossings? Are they allowed to use the car lanes? Will they used them or will the cycle on the sidewalk?
