Bicycle Railing Height Report - AASHTO - Subcommittee on Design

BICYCLE RAILING HEIGHT SURVEY
ADVOCACY GROUP RESPONSES
5. As an expert bicyclist, what is your preference for bicycle railing height? Why?
Count %
1 42"/1.1m 13 43%
2 54"/1.4m 5 17%
3 Other 12 40%
PREFERRED BICYCLE RAILING EXPLAINATION:
At least elbow height when sitting upright on bicycle.
At least elbow height when sitting upright on bicycle.
I prefer 48 inches. I am a tall cyclist at 6'-2" and I ride a road bike so my center of gravity
is high. I want a railing that does not obstruct views. I want a railing that will rub my hip
if I get too close but not my shoulder or elbow. The railing should be low enough to allow
me to comfortably place the palm of my hand on top of it for stability when I am stopped
next to it so that I needn't take my feet off of the pedals. A 48" high railing is ideal.
as a tall (6'5") cyclist, i can see how the 42" height could in some cases bother someone
who was sensitive to heights. However, I've never heard a cyclist complain about a low
(42") railing feeling unsafe, but the rail on Portland's main bike bridge (4,000 bike trips
a day) is 45"...
I am 6'5" tall, 38" pants inseam - so most of my height is in my legs. The top of my seat is
at 42" so my whole trunk is above the 42" mark. I have to reach down to push off a 42"
rail. I think that 48" is a reasonable minimum height but I encourage keeping the 54"
height as desirable.
Since I am 6' tall, I need to be convinced that adequate data has been gathered to analyze
and define a standard railing height. <strong>AASHTO</strong> has contradictory standard heights in
their publications
One of the reasons we walk or cycle is to be closer to our environment. Build high fences,
and you reduce the joy of non-motorized travel.
A- 27