New Bicycle Facility Design Manual

MnDOT has updated the department's Bicycle Facility Design Manual, which provides the information necessary to develop safe, consistent and predictable bicycle facilities along the state highway system.

MnDOT’s new Bicycle Facility Design Manual is a resource for planners and designers to plan for and implement context-appropriate bicycle facilities within state highway right-of-way. The 2020 Minnesota Bicycle Facility Design Manual supersedes the 2007 Minnesota Bikeway Facility Design Manual. This manual provides the information necessary to develop safe, consistent and predictable bicycle facilities along the state highway system.

A key change in the 2020 manual is the commitment to design bicycle facilities whenever possible primarily for people who are interested but concerned in bicycling, which represent about half of people. Designs that are comfortable and convenient for Interested but Concerned bicyclists will also provide benefit to Somewhat Confident and Highly Confident bicyclists.

Bicycling is an important part of Minnesota's transportation system and MnDOT is committed to supporting bicycling as a form of transportation. Providing connected networks of comfortable and safe bicycle facilities is an important factor to support and increase the use of bicycling for transportation.

The manual was developed based on national design standards and accepted industry practices, in particular the American Association of Highway Transportation Officials Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities (2012 edition and 2020 draft).