Copenhagen Lanes - FAQ's
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Some Frequently asked questions about Copenhagen lanes
Q. Will I run into a motor vehicle passenger‘s door?
A. Copenhagen lanes on Swanston St are designed with a 1 metre wide physical buffer between the parked cars and the bicycle lane. This means that an opening car door will not hit bike riders. It should also be noted that while every car has a driver only 10% of vehicles have a passenger.
Q. Will pedestrians be able to see bike riders in the Copenhagen lanes?
A. Pedestrians crossing the bike lane from the footpath will have a good view of bike riders as currently exists on many bike lanes. Pedestrians crossing the bike lane from the road will easily be able to see bike riders from the 1 metre wide separation island between the parked cars and the bike lane.
Q. Is there enough room to overtake slower bike riders?
A. Yes there is. The bike lanes on Swanston St are 2 metres wide which gives plenty of space for riders to overtake each other or ride next to each other and have a chat.
These lanes are designed to attract less confident riders on their bikes and not intended as a high speed training route.
Q. Is it possible to avoid obstacles in the new Copenhagen lanes?
A. Yes. The 2 metre width means there is enough space to avoid most obstacles or incidents. Being separated from parked and moving motor vehicles keeps riders away from most potential accidents.
Q. Are drivers likely to look for bike riders when turning into driveways across lanes?
A. Drivers will be made aware of the Copenhagen bike lanes by green paint going across the front of all driveway and approaches to intersections. Drivers will look for and give way to bike riders in the same way they treat pedestrians on the footpath.