Bike Lane

Purpose

Bike lanes are a common sight in Ada County and throughout the nation. Common bike lanes have no physical separation between motorists and cyclists, and a painted line demarcates the area between traffic flow and a bike lane.

Bike lanes are typically located within the roadway footprint and include a painted line to separate the bike facility from the vehicle travel lane. They also include painted icons and signage to identify the facility and/or parking lanes.

Buffered Bike Lane

Purpose

Buffered Bike Lanes include additional improvements to conventional bike lanes by providing more space between traffic and cyclists.

Local Examples

• Capitol Blvd. between Royal Blvd/ Front St.
• Gary Ln. Between Hill Rd. and State St.

Protected Bike Lane

Purpose

Protected Bike Lanes provide a physical barrier between cyclists and motorists and are additions to buffered bike lanes and conventional bike lanes. This physical barrier provides additional space for cyclists.

Local Examples

• Capitol Blvd. between Front St. and Bannock St.
• Main St. and Fairview Ave. from Garden St. to 16th St.

Raised Bike Lane

Purpose

The core premise of elevated bike lanes is physically elevating the bike lane to prevent motorist interaction with the cyclist and the bike lane. Depending on the design, the raised bike lane may also be separate from the pedestrian space. Should be placed where the bike lane serves as an important connection to the bike network, or is along a park, waterfront, other open space where cross streets and driveways are infrequent.

Local Examples

• Cloverdale Rd. between Camas St. and Emerson Dr. (Passing over I-84)

Cycle Track

Purpose

A cycle track is a designated space, much like a sidewalk, that is dedicated to bike traffic. Cycle tracks are commonly two-way and are separated from the roadway and sidewalks to prevent traffic mixing. Cycle tracks can be a solution to completely removing bike traffic from a busy roadway or to increase roadway space for motorists.

Local Examples

• St. Luke's Campus near downtown Boise
  • 2nd St, Avenue B, and Idaho St.

Mixed Traffic (Sharrows)

Purpose

The purpose of Sharrows is to indicate that bikes and cars share the road, meaning bikes have the same right to space on the road as a car. Sharrows are intended to be put in place on lower-speed streets where a bike lane is impractical or prohibitive.

Multi-Use Pathways

There are some facilities that are created for all types of users. These facilities are designated as Multi-use Pathways. These pathways are created to be shared by both pedestrians and cyclists and provide a space that is separate from a roadway.

Local Examples

• Pathway on Eagle Rd. between Victory and Amity
• Cassia St, between Orchard St and Roosevelt St, passing through Cassia Park

Map of Bike Facilities

This is a bike map for all of Ada County. Zoom in for more detail and click routes for specific information, including the location of schools, bus stops, community resources, major attractions, bike shops, and more.

• Bike Map (PDF)
• More ACHD Bike resources

Please visit Ada County Bike Map - 2023

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