Bicycle Lanes

Mission

DDOT shall plan, provide, and install bicycle lanes on roadways in order to create a comprehensive, interconnected network of bicycle facilities, improve bicycle safety and access, and expand transportation choices in the District of Columbia.

DDOT’s Bicycle Lane program has built over 100 miles of bike lanes in the District since 2001. In 2009, installation began on protected bike lanes (PBLs), also known as Cycle Tracks or separated bike lanes. Protected bike lanes have a physical separation between motor vehicle travel and the bike lane. This can be a row of parked cars, a concrete curb, and/or flex posts and wheel stops. As of the end of 2021, there are 24 miles of PBL facilities in the District. There is growing demand to install more protected bike lanes because many people want lower stress and more comfortable cycling experience where conflicts with vehicles are removed or substantially reduced. Research shows that protected bike lanes significantly improve the safety of bicyclists and increase safety for pedestrians and drivers.