Shared-Use Paths

(shown in green in the map below)

Often referred to as Class I bike paths or paved trails, Shared-use paths are off-street facilities that provide exclusive use for non-motorized travel by bicyclists and pedestrians. Shared-use paths are typically located along landscaped corridors.

Bike Lanes

(shown in purple in the map below)

Bike lanes, designated Class II by Caltrans, are on-street facilities that use striping, stencils, and signage to denote preferential or exclusive use by bicyclists. Bikes lanes are contiguous with motor vehicle travel lanes.

Bike Routes

(shown in orange in the map below)
Bike routes, designated Class III by Caltrans, are streets with signs and optional pavement markings where bicyclists travel on the shoulder or share a lane with motor vehicles. Bike routes are utilized on low-speed and low-volume streets to connect bike lanes or paths along corridors that do not provide enough space for dedicated lanes.

Bike Routes with Multi-Use Shoulder

(shown in yellow in the map below)
Bike routes with multi-use shoulders include the features of bike routes with the addition of a striped shoulder of variable width. This facility is used most frequently when jurisdictions wish to maximize road space for bicycles but lack sufficient right-of-way for bike lanes. This facility also accommodates pedestrians, but at a lower level of comfort than a shared-use path or sidewalk.