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These Could Be the Worst Bike Lanes in the United States Right Now

May 2, 2024

These Could Be the Worst Bike Lanes in the United States Right Now

Listen, it’s dangerous out there at the best of times especially given the examples of the most dangerous and worst bike lanes to follow. Protected bike lanes are essential, but these account for just a fraction of what’s out there right now. Most are still of the paint on asphalt variety or worse. For those […]

Written by: Ron Johnson

For those who love cycling, having safe and well-designed bike lanes is a game-changer. These lanes give cyclists their own space, keeping them safe and making the roads more peaceful for everyone. Plus, they’re a big reason why more people are choosing to bike instead of drive, which is a win-win for the environment and our health.

But not all bike lanes are created equal. Some are poorly planned and executed, making them frustrating and even dangerous for cyclists. These lanes often lack proper infrastructure and overlook the needs of cyclists, leaving them feeling like an afterthought.

Want to advocate for bike lanes in your way? People for Bikes has a great guide to local advocacy.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the worst bike lanes around the world, highlighting the challenges cyclists face in urban areas. While we’ll be focusing on the negatives, it’s important to acknowledge the hard work of city planners and cycling advocates who are striving to make biking safer and more accessible for everyone. We’re not trying to discourage cycling, but rather shine a light on the areas that need improvement to create a better biking experience for all.

Austin, Texas should know better

In Austin, Texas, cyclists contend with a hazardous bike lane stemming from a highway ramp, highlighting the consequences of poorly designed infrastructure. Check out the photo below, and tell me this is anything but life-threatening. Shockingly, someone designed this.

At the junction of 360 & MOPAC in Austin, TX, a painted bike lane is situated amidst a highway, adjacent to a merge lane from another highway, with cars allowed to travel at speeds up to 60MPH.

Texas

This gem is wide enough for a sizeable concrete barrier and it might be a good idea considering this is on the side of a 60 mph highway in El Paso.

A highway with a wide bike lane but no protection and a 80 mph speed limit

Oh Florida

Traveling along US 98 between Ft. Walton Beach and Destin, Florida presents a challenge for cyclists. The westbound bike lane is positioned perilously close to high-speed traffic, leaving little margin for error, and abruptly terminates without warning. Adding to the concern, there is no designated eastbound bike lane, leaving cyclists without a safe passage in that direction. With no alternative routes available, cyclists face significant risks navigating this stretch of road.

A highway packed with cars and a very narrow bike lane

Another classic, this one in Clearwater, Florida. It looks temporary? Probably only during the nice, you know riding, weather.

A bike lane in Clearwater Florida covered over with patio tables and chairs from restaurants

No no Illinois

The bike path in OakBrook Village outside of Chicago abruptly terminates without a curb cut, posing accessibility challenges.

showing a bike path in OakBrook Village that ends with a grass patch then an intersection

Maryland

Not sure if this is temporary or not, but this is seriously dangerous works happening right here.

And this gem in Maryland, another example of a slim ‘bike lane’ with zero protection in between speeding traffic lanes. Another death trap.

A photo showing a slim bike lane running between live traffic lanes in Maryland

California

Serious problems here in San Diego. It’s bad enough to have no bike lanes, what is worse is actually guiding cyclists to danger like this. Yes, this is a 11-lane speedway with a slender bike lane between car lanes.

An overhead showing an 11-lane road with a slim unprotected bike lane running between traffic lanes

On San Diego’s Pacific Highway, a major transportation corridor, cyclists are abruptly forced to merge with traffic traveling at high speeds of up to 70 mph, as the designated bike lane disappears without warning, with no viable alternative routes available.

San Diego's Pacific Highway

At the intersection of San Pablo Dam Road and the Highway 24 on/off ramps in San Pablo California, cars cross merge at speeds of 60mph directly through a bike lane, posing significant hazards for cyclists.

An overhead of an unprotected bike lane running along merging traffic from highway at high speeds

In Marin. Hey Google, how effective are road sharrows?

a line of cars squeezing a tiny road sharrow

The paint-only (Class II) “bike lane” in San Francisco, amidst a 40 MPH speed limit, 3-5 driving lanes, two highway exit ramps, one entrance ramp, and an unprotected merge, is highly hazardous and warrants conversion to a protected bike lane for safety.

shows narrow unprotected bike lane running alongside three lanes of speeding highway traffic

In Irvine, will paint protect you from cars and trucks traveling at 60 mph?

shows unprotected bike lane crossing a merge onto a busy highway with no protection

Washington

This crucial connector between a major neighborhood in Seattle and downtown is ominously dubbed the “suicide merge,” as it requires cyclists to merge directly into fast-moving, multi-lane traffic without any protective buffer.

In Bellevue, near Seattle, the Coal Creek Pkwy thru Bellevue, Newcastle, and Renton has to be the worst bike lanes I’ve seen. 50mph traffic with a 3-ft gutter lane is a recipe for disaster.

A Call to Action

These examples serve as a rallying cry for authorities and urban planners to prioritize cyclist safety. By addressing the flaws in these bike lanes and investing in safer infrastructure, we can create streets where cycling is not only convenient but also secure for all riders.

Protected bike lanes has been shown to be the only truly effective way to get people to switch modes for their city trips from automobiles to bicycles. And that brings with it countless benefits for cities and those residents.

But, it isn’t all death traps. Change is coming. Here is a look at the best new bike lanes in the United States.

It’s imperative to propel forward with initiatives that make our cities safer and more accessible for cyclists.