Bicycle Railing Height Report - AASHTO - Subcommittee on Design

BICYCLE RAILING HEIGHT SURVEY
STATE RESPONSES
8. As an expert in the design of bicycle facilities, what is your preference for bicycle
railing height? Why?
Count %
1 42"/1.1m 16 44%
2 54"/1.4m 10 28%
3 Other 10 28%
PREFERRED BICYCLE RAILING EXPLAINATION:
In most cases the 42" is probably adequate, but in certain uses such as high bridges, the
54" does provide a greater sense of security. Although not needed on crossing a small
creek, crossing the Mississippi River is another story.
I think this is a relatively easy thing to determine. In order to prevent a cyclist from being
thrown over the top of a bridge railing, the top of the railing needs to be at least as high
as the cyclist's center of gravity. Measure that on a relatively tall cyclist on a relatively tall
bicycle, ad a reasonable margin of safety, and you've got the minimum height, based on
safety.
There is no empirical evidence that a 54" railing height provides added protection from
falls. 42" has proven to be less costly, more asthetically pleasing and can be more easily
accommodate other uses eg. fishing from bridges. 54" railing height resulted in children
and young adults climbing the railing to be able to fish from structures, where
applicable. With 42" inch height we get far fewer complaints regarding perceived safety
problems and less opposition to higher railing heights.
I don't have a strong preference for either height. A minimum of 42" sounds good.
The main concern here is safety. 42" is sufficient for safety.
I prefer 42" on non-motorized only facilities and 54" on highway facilities. The increased
height should provide added safety if a bicyclist is hit by a motor vehicle.
A- 16