PBL/BBL: Cycle lanes structurally separated or buffered

Separate guidance of bicycle and motor vehicle traffic on the roadway should be aimed for in terms of both subjective/perceived and objective/statistically proven road safety.

In addition, factors such as

• Efficiency / traffic flow to be urgently maintained
• Availability of space
• Use of side areas (stationary traffic/access roads)

influence on the choice of cycle routing.

Within the elements for segregated cycle lane safety, a distinction must be made in accordance with the American model between

• Structurally separated cycle lane / Protected Bike Lane (PBL)
• Buffered bike lane / Buffered Lane (BL)

Structurally separated cycle lane/Protected Bike Lane (PBL)
The PBL creates subjective and objective safety due to separation by means of vertical elements. It can be supported by marking a freely blocked safety space between the flowing traffic. The physical barrier can be

• horizontally linear, e.g. through 1m long concrete blocks, or
• vertically at certain points, e.g. with flexible barrier posts, or
• as a combination of both

be trained.

Buffered cycle lane (BL)
The BL creates subjective and objective safety through horizontal spacing between moving traffic. In justified exceptional cases, motor vehicles are permitted to drive over them, e.g. at entrances and exits, to parking lots, in the case of emergency routes, in the context of mobility-impaired persons.

Whether PBL or BL is used depends on the general conditions (e.g. frequent need for passability by vehicles due to neighboring stationary traffic, access roads).

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