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Shared-Use Paths

Shared-Use Paths Best Practices

Shared-Use Paths

College Park Woods Trail

College Park Woods Trail photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

A shared-use path (also called a multi-use path) is a bikeway, at least 8 feet in width, physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier, and within a highway or independent right-of-way. In addition to bicycle use, shared-use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, and other users.

National Capital Trail Network

The greater Washington, DC region is renowned for the quality and extent of its shared-use paths and several notable long-distance bicycle routes that pass through the region (see the National Capital Trail Network map at left). Michael J. Farrell, Senior Transportation Planner for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) in Washington, DC, spearheads a unique shared-use path project that spans across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.  The groundwork for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the National Capital Region began about twenty years ago through the work of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB).   The Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee of the TPB Technical Committee advises the TPB and its Technical Committee and other committees on bicycle and pedestrian considerations in overall regional transportation planning.

It meets six times per year and each agency involved sends their bicycle and pedestrian planners.  While the TPB is collaborative, the project works so well because the various agencies involved have different needs and roles and can customize their plans based on those; for example, setting speed limits for their area’s shared-use paths.  Each jurisdiction has different challenges, and each can plan at its own speed.

National Capital Trail Network

The greater Washington, DC region is renowned for the quality and extent of its shared-use paths and several notable long-distance bicycle routes that pass through the region. Michael J. Farrell, Senior Transportation Planner for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) in Washington, DC, spearheads a unique shared-use path project that spans across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

National Capital Trail Network

National Capital Trail Network

The greater Washington, DC region is renowned for the quality and extent of its shared-use paths and several notable long-distance bicycle routes that pass through the region. Michael J. Farrell, Senior Transportation Planner for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) in Washington, DC, spearheads a unique shared-use path project that spans across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.  The groundwork for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the National Capital Region began about twenty years ago through the work of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB). 

The groundwork for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the National Capital Region began about twenty years ago through the work of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB). The Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee of the TPB Technical Committee advises the TPB and its Technical Committee and other committees on bicycle and pedestrian considerations in overall regional transportation planning. It meets six times per year and each agency involved sends their bicycle and pedestrian planners.  While the TPB is collaborative, the project works so well because the various agencies involved have different needs and roles and can customize their plans based on those; for example, setting speed limits for their area’s shared-use paths.  Each jurisdiction has different challenges, and each can plan at its own speed.

14th Street

TPB members include large agencies like the National Park Service (NPS) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), as well as small, rural transit agencies in the region. The TPB convenes an annual shared micromobility workshop for all its members and administers working groups where agency representatives report on their progress and share best practices.  TPB also provides technical assistance to its agencies and provides grant funding.  If agencies want funding, they must produce and report on projects such as shared-use paths or long-distance trails. (See the photo of a shared-use path on 14th Street at right.)


Since the TPB started planning, the region has built a network of approximately 800 miles of shared-use paths consisting of paved or packed crushed stone surface that are suitable for pedestrians, road bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters.  Walking and bicycling account for 11% of all trips in the region.  92% of bike/walk commuters reported being satisfied with their commutes, the highest of any commuter mode, according to a recent survey.  The regional bike sharing program, Capital Bikeshare, includes about 5,000 bicycles at over 600 stations in seven jurisdictions.  The project hopes to have over 1,700 miles of shared-use paths by the year 2045.    


Some of the many achievements the TPB has made over the years include automated pedestrian counters on shared-use paths, increased rural recreation and tourism, and cleaner air with a smaller carbon footprint.

Before this project got underway, there was very little coordination and sharing outside of the urban core – now multiple counties are joining together to build a long-distance regional trail system that spans many rural areas.  “The system becomes much more usable when it’s connected,” states Farrell.

Met Branch

TPB members include large agencies like the National Park Service (NPS) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), as well as small, rural transit agencies in the region. The TPB convenes an annual shared micromobility workshop for all its members and administers working groups where agency representatives report on their progress and share best practices. TPB also provides technical assistance to its agencies and provides grant funding.  If agencies want funding, they must produce and report on projects such as shared-use paths or long-distance trails.  Since the TPB started planning, the region has built a network of approximately 800 miles of shared-use paths consisting of paved or packed crushed stone surface that are suitable for pedestrians, road bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters.  Walking and bicycling account for 11% of all trips in the region.  92% of bike/walk commuters reported being satisfied with their commutes, the highest of any commuter mode, according to a recent survey.

TPB members include large agencies like the National Park Service (NPS) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), as well as small, rural transit agencies in the region. The TPB convenes an annual shared micromobility workshop for all its members and administers working groups where agency representatives report on their progress and share best practices.

Met Branch

TPB also provides technical assistance to its agencies and provides grant funding.  If agencies want funding, they must produce and report on projects such as shared-use paths or long-distance trails.  Since the TPB started planning, the region has built a network of approximately 800 miles of shared-use paths consisting of paved or packed crushed stone surface that are suitable for pedestrians, road bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters.  Walking and bicycling account for 11% of all trips in the region.  92% of bike/walk commuters reported being satisfied with their commutes, the highest of any commuter mode, according to a recent survey.  The regional bike sharing program, Capital Bikeshare, includes about 5,000 bicycles at over 600 stations in seven jurisdictions.  The project hopes to have over 1,700 miles of shared-use paths by the year 2045. 

Acknowledgements

National RTAP is grateful for the contributions of Michael J. Farrell, Senior Transportation Planner, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

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