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1. Do bike lanes improve safety?

Yes. Bike lanes provide a designated lane for cyclists and serve as a highly visible means of alerting drivers that cyclist are sharing the road.

2. What are the benefits of having bike lanes?

Bike lanes help reduce traffic by providing a safe alternative method of travel for people to get to the places they need to go. Bike lanes also encourage a healthy lifestyle by offering a way to stay active and have fun.

3. Will bike lanes affect traffic patterns and speed limits?

City of White Plains bike lanes have had a limited effect (only a few minor lane use changes and reductions have been made) on current traffic patterns and do not affect posted speed limits. However, it is advised that as a cautionary measure, drivers reduce their speed when traveling near cyclists. Drivers should also cross only “dashed” line bicycle lane segments, and cross these with caution while looking for active bike riders.

4. Can a car drive in a bike lane?

Cars should not travel in bike lanes, but are permitted to cross “dashed” line bicycle lane segments. It is important to remember that every lane is a bike lane. Even with dedicated bike lanes cyclists have the right to use almost any road (with a few high speed exceptions).

5. Are cyclists supposed to ride as far to the right as possible?

Cyclists may ride to the right within a bike lane if it feels safer to them but they are not required to by law. When bike lanes are adjacent to parked cars, cyclists are advised to ride in the left portion of the lane, about 4 to 5 feet from the parked cars.