#AgainstTheGrainSafetyAnalysisAndDesignGuidanceForSharedContraflowBikeStreets

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Liza Burkin

Against the Grain: Safety Analysis and Design Guidance for Shared Contraflow Bike Streets

Building on methods and examples from Europe, Burkin's thesis is a groundbreaking study about the safety and effectiveness of one-way contra-flow bike Streets in North America. Using original field work to gather data, the thesis forms a foundation for this important street type to be included in nationally recognized street design guides. The Esri Story Map format makes the thesis engaging and is perfect for illustrating before and after street changes and video documentation of specific vehicle/ bike interactions.

More details can be found on the UEP Practical Visionaries Blog

Abstract

This thesis explores the idea that while one-way streets are primarily meant to divert and control motor vehicle traffic, they should not limit the travel direction of bicyclists in a low-speed, low-volume context. With thoughtful design interventions, people riding bikes and driving cars can safely share space traveling in opposite directions – even on streets that do not have space for dedicated contraflow bike lanes. 

An extensive literature review, examination of six case studies, and video analysis from one street in Somerville, Massachusetts provide evidence that shared contraflow bike streets are a safe and useful street design for local roadways – especially when needed for bicycle boulevards or neighborhood greenway routing. Video data collected before and after the opening of legal shared contraflow in Somerville reveal that ridership and safer positioning on the street increased, while sidewalk riding and close passing decreased.

Additionally, this paper provides design guidance for different levels of shared contraflow interventions, recommends citywide contraflow policies rather than street-by-street application, and proposes public engagement and prioritization methods for studying, redesigning, and implementing shared contraflow bike streets. The project demonstrates how the absence of standards and guidance around these types of streets results in a lost opportunity for low-stress bike networks that serve people of all ages and abilities.