Bike lanes indicate a preferential or exclusive space for bicycle travel along an arterial street.
Bike lanes have been found to cause more consistent separation between bicyclists and passing motorists and have been shown to increase safety for cyclists. Marking bicycle lanes can also benefit pedestrians - as turning motorists slow and yield more to cyclists, they will by default also be doing so for pedestrians. As striping bike lanes reduces the space dedicated to motor vehicles, safety may be enhanced for pedestrians who wish to cross the street. Bicycle lanes also provide a buffer between motor vehicle traffic and pedestrians when sidewalks are immediately adjacent to the curb. A well-marked bicycle lane and bicycle parking in Cambridge, Massachusetts.