Bicycle Transportation Program

The mission of the City of Cincinnati Bicycle Transportation Program is to make bicycling an integral part of daily life in Cincinnati, so that persons of all ages and abilities utilize bicycles for all types of trips. We work toward this goal by planning, engineering, and implementing bicycle facilities, and by educating the community about bicycle transportation.

The Bicycle Program has successfully implemented many projects, including striping 7 sets of bicycle lanes, installing over 250 bike racks, creating 11 miles of bicycle trails/paths, posting 23 miles of signed bicycle routes, upgrading 231 miles of streets with bike friendly stormwater inlets, and painting 45 shared lane markings, or "sharrows."

Cincinnati's Bike Friendly Infrastructure

Bike Lanes
A bike lane is a portion of the roadway which has been designated by striping, signing and pavement markings for the exclusive use of bicyclists. Note the bicycle symbol, the arrow above, and the solid white line to the left of the lane.

Sharrows
Sharrows (shared lane markings) are pavement markings installed within shared travel lanes. The markings (a bike & chevron) remind motorists that they should expect to see and share the road with cyclists. In addition, the sharrows help cyclists position themselves within the lane so as to avoid being hit by suddenly opened car doors. Read more about sharrows here.

Wide Curb Lanes
A wide curb lane is a shared lane that is sufficiently wide for motor vehicles to pass bicycles in the same lane without needing to change lanes or crowd the cyclist. There are no pavement markings or striping used to designate wide curb lanes. The recommended travel lane width for shared use by motor vehicles and bicycles is 14 feet.

Bike Routes
A bike route is a shared roadway which has been designated with signing as a preferred route for cyclists. The green bike route signs provide directional information for cyclists and remind motorists that they may see cyclists on the roadway.

Unmarked Shared Roadways
Most streets in Cincinnati that do not include specific bicycle facilities like bike lanes or sharrows are considered "unmarked shared roadways." Such roadways are open to both bicycle and motor vehicle travel, but do not include special pavement markings for bicycles.

Off-street Paths or Trails
Off-street paths, or multi-use trails, are paved paths separated from the road for bicyclists, walkers, runners, and in-line skaters (i.e. the Ohio River Trail).

Share the Road Signage
Share the Road signs are installed on roadways that are preferred routes for cyclists. The signs remind motorists to expect to see cyclists on these roads, and remind both cyclists and motorists to be courteous to one another and share the roadway safely.

Bike Racks
Over 250 bike racks have been installed throughout the City at shops, schools, restaurants, libraries, pools, and in many business districts. To request a bike rack, click here.