Pedestrian & Bike Safety: Edge Lane Road Design Upgrades

Edge lane roads (ELR's), also known as advisory bike lanes or advisory shoulders, are an area on the edge of an existing roadway that offers prioritized safe space for pedestrian and bicyclists. While the edge lane road safety concept is not new in Europe, these existing road upgrades are now being used across North America on roadways that are too narrow for dedicated bike lane improvements. Many of Kitsap's low-traffic streets and roads are prime for this low-cost safety upgrade.

NKTA Board riding the Port Townsend ELR's

NKTA's Board joined up with Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) Jefferson County members to ride on Port Townsend's many ELR routes to research this safety concept for use in Kitsap County. In the coming months, NKTA & PTC will begin collaboration with local jurisdictions to begin studying the use of ELR's in Kitsap County. Educating drivers, instructional roadside signage and reduced speed will play a role in these safety measures

Click here to learn more

Fleming Bicycle Corridor Concept, Everett WA

Another example of low-cost ELR safety improvements is the Elk Hill Drive, being studied as a part of the Fleming Bicycle Corridor project (click here), will be the first for Everett, WA. Many other communities around WA have already implemented this recreational and active transportation safety concept.