Greenville Bicycle Master Plan
Bike Lane Adjacent to On-Street Diagonal Parking Design Summary Bike Lane Width: 5’ minimum. White 4” stripe separates bike lane from parking bays. Parking bays are sufficiently long to accommodate most vehicles (vehicles do not block bike lane).
Discussion In areas with high parking demand such as urban commercial areas, diagonal parking can be used to increase parking supply. Conventional “head-in” diagonal parking is not recommended in conjunction with high levels of bicycle traffic or with the provision of bike lanes as drivers backing out of conventional diagonal parking spaces have poor visibility of approaching bicyclists. Recommended bike lane adjacent to on-street diagonal parking design. The use of ‘back-in diagonal parking’ or ‘reverse angled parking’ is recommended over head-in diagonal parking. This design addresses issues with diagonal parking and bicycle travel by improving sight distance between drivers and bicyclists and has other benefits to vehicles including: loading and unloading of the trunk occurs at the curb rather than in the street, passengers (including children) are directed by open doors towards the curb, no door conflict with bicyclists. While there may be a learning curve for some drivers, using back-in diagonal parking is typically an easier maneuver than conventional parallel parking.
Guidance This treatment is currently slated for inclusion in the upcoming update of the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities.
‘Back-in’ diagonal parking is safer for cyclists than ‘head-in’ diagonal parking due to drivers’ visibility as they exit the parking spot.
Alta Planning + Design – September 2011 | 6-19