Description
Constructing and enhancing bike facilities that provide safe and convenient infrastructure makes cycling a more attractive mode of transportation. Caltrans defines four classes of bicycle facilities: Class I paths are fully separated bikeways, Class II are striped bike lanes on streets, Class III are shared routes with signage, and Class IV are separated bikeways protected by barriers or curbs. Class IV facilities provide the greatest safety benefits because physical separation reduces conflicts with vehicles, lowering the risk of crashes and improving comfort for a wider range of riders. Combining Class IV facilities with lighting can increase the safety and security of the facility.
Implementation Details
- Implement Class I, II, and IV bikeways per Marin Countywide Transportation Plan with a near-term focus on filling gaps.
- Upgrade existing bike lanes with green paint, buffers, and intersection treatments to meet best practices for safety.
- Prioritize school zones, downtown commercial districts, and transit access points using a low-stress network approach.
- Coordinate project funding using Active Transportation Plans (ATP) and Caltrans SB 1 programs.
Mitigation Potential
Bicycle infrastructure improvements increase safety, comfort, and convenience of biking, making biking a more attractive alternative to Single Occupancy Vehicles. Impacts on VMT will vary based on the location and connection of the bicycle networks to local/regional networks and transit stops.
For more details, see the resources listed below for VMT reduction quantification:
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Expanding the bikeway network offers low-cost mobility options to residents who cannot afford a car. Prioritize bikeway expansion in historically disinvested neighborhoods and ensure facilities connect to jobs, transit, and schools. Include engagement with communities of color and youth to co-design safe and accessible routes.
Funding Sources
Likely requires significant initial funding to construct, plus continued funding for maintenance and operations. Active transportation grants and other one-time sources are available (though competitive). Developers can contribute to expansion of the network or improvements if there is a nexus. Funding sources include the Regional Active Transportation Program, the Statewide Active Transportation Program (California Transportation Commission), the Sustainable Communities Program (Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (California Department of Housing and Community Development).
Implemented in TAM Area
Current TDM Implementation
Marin County jurisdictions feature Class I to Class IV bikeways, with the highest concentration in Larkspur, San Rafael, and Hamilton and Old Town Novato. Current bikeway improvement projects from TAM and various cities and local agencies include the Alto Tunnel project, Downtown San Rafael Bikeways project, Bellam Boulevard bikeways, Tiburon Boulevard Class IV bikeway, and multiple SMART pathway segments.
TDM Benefit Locations
This TDM measure will be beneficial in areas that already have a bike path network, to fill in the gaps and ensure community-level connectivity, but also in areas that currently lack separate, safe bike facilities. Marin County jurisdictions have proposed future bikeways in many places, with substantial network improvements in Corte Madera, San Anselmo, and West Marin.