Cycling Through Congestion: Does Bike Presence Actually Slow Cars Down?

Urban roadway space for bicycle lanes and its impact on motorized traffic are key issues. Drivers worry that designating space for bikes, even in segregated lanes, could diminish route capacity and increase congestion. This study investigates whether street bike lanes slow urban passenger car speeds by reallocating roadway space. During the COVID-19 epidemic in Bogotá, Colombia, temporary bicycle lanes were installed, some of which became permanent. We investigate these bike lanes' effects on public transit and all-vehicle speeds using a difference-in-differences technique. Contrary to expectations, our findings reveal only a minor impact on travel speeds following the introduction of these bike lanes. We also find that the presence of bike lanes diminishes the car accidents by 40 percent.