Bicycle boulevard

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A bicycle boulevard, sometimes referred to as a neighborhood greenway,^[1] neighborway,^[2] neighborhood bikeway^[3] or neighborhood byway^[4] is a type of bikeway composed of a low-speed street which has been "optimized" for bicycle traffic.^[5] Bicycle boulevards discourage cut-through motor-vehicle traffic but may allow local motor-vehicle traffic at low speeds. They are designed to give priority to bicyclists as through-going traffic. They are intended as a low-cost, politically popular way to create a connected network of streets with good bicyclist comfort and/or safety.

Bicycle boulevards attempt to achieve several goals:

• discouragement of non-local motor vehicle traffic;
• low speed limits;
• low motor-vehicle traffic volumes;
• free-flow travel for bikes by assigning the right-of-way to the bicycle boulevard at intersections wherever possible;
• traffic control to help bicycles cross major arterial roads;
• a distinctive look and/or ambiance such that cyclists become aware of the existence of the bike boulevard and motorists are alerted that the street is a priority route for bicyclists; and,
• enhanced environment due to the promotion of bicycle usage.

These bikeway design elements are intended to appeal to casual, risk-averse, inexperienced and younger bicyclists who would not otherwise be willing to cycle with motor vehicle traffic. Compared to a bike path or rail trail, a bicycle boulevard is also a relatively low-cost approach to appealing to a broader cycling demographic.