Work out cycle lane capacity instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Cycle lane capacity is set by headway and the number of side by side files the width permits, taking about one metre of width per file. At a two second headway each file carries 1800 cycles an hour, so a two metre lane allowing two files has a theoretical capacity of 3600, far above almost any observed demand.
Capacity
Cycles per hour = 3600 / headway x files of travel
Files
Files = floor(lane width / 1.0 m)
Cycles per hour = 3600 / headway x files of travel. Cycle lane capacity is set by headway and the number of side by side files the width permits, taking about one metre of width per file.
Rarely. Comfort, ability to overtake a slower rider, and conflict at junctions govern the design width long before flow capacity does.
This calculator takes 3 inputs: Cycle lane width, Average cycling speed, Minimum headway between cyclists. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.