| What
is a bikeway? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Bikeways
are designated paths for bicycles. They can be
bike lanes, bike routes or bike trails. There
are many Benefits to
providing access to bikeways. |
|
| What
are bike lanes? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Bike
lanes are designated on-street bicycle paths.
They are striped, marked with a bicycle symbol
on the pavement, and signed with a black and
white Bikes Only sign. Vehicles are not allowed
to continuously drive on this path. |
|
| What
is a bike route? |
|
Back
To Top |
| A
bike route is a designated on-street bicycle
path that is not striped. The bike route is a
shared lane with motor vehicles and is signed
with a green Bike Route sign. |
|
| What
is a greenway? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Greenways
are multi-use trails which connect neighborhoods
to shopping areas, offices, recreational facilities,
and other points of activity. Greenways are
constructed and maintained by the Metro
Parks Department. |
|
| How
should I pass another cyclist on a bike lane? |
|
Back
To Top |
| The
same traffic rules apply. If you are a cyclist,
check behind you to make sure no vehicles are
on the left lane. Use your hand signals to let
other vehicles know your intentions. When passing
the other cyclist, you can use an audible signal
such as a bell or voice signal to let the other
cyclist know you are "Passing". This avoids surprises.
If you are a motorist you will be traveling on
a separate lane. Remember to be aware of bicyclists
traveling on the bike lane, especially when making
a right turn. Signal to let all vehicles know
your intentions. Be aware that bicyclists may
travel outside of the bike lane if necessary. |
|
| What
is the difference between a shared road and a
bike lane? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Shared
roads are not striped. A bicyclist and motorist
can travel on the same lane. The striped lane
separates a motorist lane and a bicyclist lane.
In both cases, a bicyclist can take the full
traffic lane if road hazards or concerns warrant
it: debris or busy driveways are an example (PowerPoint
File - 205K file size). |
|
| Should
I wear a helmet? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Yes.
Children 17 and under must wear a helmet. We
strongly recommend everyone wear a properly fitting
and approved helmet. Studies show that when falls
or accidents occur, helmets can prevent 85% of
bicyclist head injuries. |
|
| Can
I Park my bike on sidewalk? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Yes.
You can park your bike on the sidewalk, as integer
as it doesn’t block the flow of pedestrian travel.
Metro-owned poles or posts are generally okay
if no bike rack is available. |
|
| Should
I lock my bike? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Yes.
Always lock your bike, even if you’re leaving
it “just for a minute”. Choose a highly visible,
well-lit location. Unless otherwise posted, Don’t
lock your bike to trees. |
|
| What
do I do when a bike lane ends and I have to keep
going? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Continue
riding on following your intended route. Ride
as far right as safe to do so. As vehicles, bicycles
can travel on any roads where they are not restricted.
Some examples of restricted roads are freeways,
expressways, parkways, or other roadways as marked.
Bicyclists must obey traffic laws and signal
appropriately to notify other travelers of their
intentions. |
|
| Can
I park my car on the bike lane? |
|
Back
To Top |
| No.
Bike lanes are designated bicycle paths. Parking
on bike lanes means that bicyclists must merge
onto the traffic lane to pass the parked vehicle. |
|
| Can
I drive on a bike lane? |
|
Back
To Top |
| No.
Bike lanes are designated bicycle only lanes.
You can drive across a bike lane when making
turns or exits. Always check for bicycle traffic
before crossing these lanes. |
|
| Can
I ride my bike on the sidewalk? |
|
Back
To Top |
| It
is acceptable to ride on the sidewalk under certain
conditions, except in a business zone. A business
zone is the territory that includes the contiguous
600 ft. ainteger the roadway where there are buildings
in use for business or industrial purposes that
occupy 300 feet collectively on both sides of
the roadway. Remember that pedestrians have the
right-of-way. |
|
| How
can I get a bike map? |
|
Back
To Top |
| You
can request a bike map or visit our Interactive
Map page to find location for which you wish
to get map. |
|
| Do
I need to have lights on my bike? |
|
Back
To Top |
| State
law requires that you have a front light and
a rear reflector. A blinking red light is advisable. |
|
| What
is a bicyclist doing on the left turn lane? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Bicyclists
can use the left turn lane to make left turns.
By obeying normal traffic laws and signaling
their intentions, bicyclists can travel on the
road as any other vehicle. |
|
| What
do I do at a four-way stop? |
|
Back
To Top |
| Follow
normal traffic laws and stop. Whether you are
a bicyclist or motorist, the first vehicle to
arrive at the intersection, on your right, has
the right-of-way. |
|
| Do
I have to register my bike? |
|
Back
To Top |
| No,
Metro Nashville & Davidson County does not
require bicycles to be registered. |
|
| How
do bikeways help air quality? |
|
Back
To Top |
| One
way is by providing opportunities for people
to bicycle and walk. Another way is as a transportation
control measure in the State Implementation plan.
This plan is how the ozone non-attainment
region plans to meet healthful air quality standards.
Please download our detailed document on Benefits
of Walking and Bicycling. |
|
|
|
|
If you have any further questions regarding Metro Nashville Bikeways Program, please do not hesitate to
Contact Us.
|
|