Safe Bicycle Lane Design Principles: Responding to Cycling Needs in Cities during COVID and Beyond

The document advocates for the implementation of high-quality, safe 'pop-up' bike lanes to support the surge in cycling during the pandemic. It emphasizes that temporary measures must not compromise safety standards, as poor design increases risks for cyclists, who account for 3% of global road traffic deaths. The guide aims to help cities integrate these temporary lanes into broader mobility strategies and speed management systems to ensure long-term sustainability and public health.

• Between March and July 2020, 394 cities, states, and countries implemented interventions to reallocate street space for safer cycling and walking.
• Cyclists are highly vulnerable in vehicle collisions, with the WHO reporting 41,000 annual cyclist deaths globally, which constitutes 3% of all road traffic fatalities.
• The increase in cycling popularity is driven by reduced public transport capacity due to physical distancing, lower vehicle traffic during lockdowns, a greater awareness of the mental health benefits of physical activity, and the presence of temporary bike lanes.
• To be effective, temporary cycling lanes must adhere to safe design standards, be integrated with speed management, and align with the city's overall mobility strategies and cycling networks.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Safe Bicycle Lane Design Principles: Responding to Cycling Needs in Cities during COVID and Beyond. https://www.wri.org/research/safe-bicycle-lane-design-principles

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Safe Bicycle Lane Design Principles: Responding to Cycling Needs in Cities during COVID and Beyond. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/safe-bicycle-lane-design-principles.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Safe Bicycle Lane Design Principles: Responding to Cycling Needs in Cities during COVID and Beyond |url=https://www.wri.org/research/safe-bicycle-lane-design-principles |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendsafe, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Safe Bicycle Lane Design Principles: Responding to Cycling Needs in Cities during COVID and Beyond}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/safe-bicycle-lane-design-principles}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }