Bikeways

Orange County's favorable climate and recreational attractions make it an ideal environment for bicycling. There are currently about 1,000 miles of bikeways in Orange County with roughly another 700 miles that have been planned. It is the responsibility of local jurisdictions to plan, implement and maintain the bikeways in Orange County. These local jurisdictions include all 34 Orange County cities, the County of Orange, and Caltrans.

Bicycles share equal rights and responsibilities with other vehicles on the road.  However, while bicyclists share all the same rights and responsibilities of motorists, bicycle-specific facilities, such as signed and striped bike lanes, are often provided in an effort to enhance safety for both bicyclists and motorists.  Bicyclists also need to be conscious of their skill and comfort levels when choosing their travel routes.

There are three classes of commuter bikeways:

• Class I – off-street paved bike paths
• Class II – on-road striped and signed bicycle lanes
• Class III – on-road shared-lane signed bicycle routes

Off-street paths are facilities on a separate right-of-way from roadways, and are usually shared by bicyclists and pedestrians.  Shared paths are recreational facilities and should not be used as high-speed bikeways, as the safety of the other non-motorized users must be considered.

Bicycle lanes are on-street facilities that use painted stripes and stencils to delineate the right of way assigned to bicyclists and motorists, and to provide for more predictable movements by each.

Bicycle routes are signed on-street facilities that accommodate vehicles and bicycles in the same travel lane.  Bicycles are permitted on most roadways; however, for safety purposes, signed bicycle routes are often found on streets with lower speeds and traffic volumes.

We welcome your suggestions regarding ways to improve this map or the bikeway system. You can email us, call (714) 636-RIDE, or mail your comments to:

Customer Relations

Orange County Transportation Authority
P.O. Box 14184
Orange, CA 92863-1584