Class 1: Multi-Use Path, or Trail

A multi-use paths is also known as a trail. It is an off-street bikeway separated from cars and used by people biking, walking, running, and more.

Trails in San José include:

• Coyote Creek Trail
• Guadalupe River Trail
• Lake Cunningham Trail
• Penitencia Creek Trail
• River Oaks Parkway

Two bike riders biking on a trail.

Class 2: Bike Lane

A bike lane gives on-street space for bicyclists. It is marked with painted stripes and symbols on the street. It may also have a striped buffer area between bicycle and vehicle travel lanes. Class 2A bike lanes do not have a buffer while Class 2B bike lanes have a striped buffer.

Also seen at:

• Snell Avenue
• Curtner Avenue
• King Road

Also seen at: 

• Keyes Street
• Williams Road
• Zanker Road

Class 3: Bike Route and Bike Boulevard

A bike route is an on-street bikeway where bicyclists must share the lane with cars because the lane is not wide enough to fit a bike lane. It can be marked with signs or a road marker (“sharrow”). Bike boulevards are bike routes on calmer streets with added features to increase comfort for people bicycling. Class 3A are bike routes while Class 3B are bike boulevards.

Also seen at:

• 24th Street
• Flint Avenue
• Curie Drive

Frontage lane on 10th and 11th Streets; a low volume lane for parking and biking separated from through traffic.

Bike boulevard on 17th Street with restricted vehicle movements.

Class 4: Separated Bike Lane

Separated bike lanes are also known as cycle tracks or protected bike lanes. Separated bike lanes are separated from the sidewalk and cars by a physical object such as parking, a curb, or posts.

A bollard protected bike, as lane seen on:

• Senter Road
• Mabury Road
• South White Road

A parking protected bike lane, as seen on:

• Fourth Street
• San Fernando Street
• McLaughlin Avenue

 A curb protected bike lane, as seen on:

• 10th Street
• 11th Street

A bus boarding island, as seen on:

• East San Fernando Street
• East San Salvador Street
• 10th Street

A raised bikeway, as seen on South Almaden Boulevard/Park Avenue

Intersection Treatments

Intersections can be tricky and dangerous places for bicyclists to ride. Bike detection, bike signals, bike boxes, and left turn boxes help show where a bicyclist will be on the road.

A bike box.

A two-stage left turn box.

A bike signal.

A protected intersection.

Bike Parking

Short-term and long-term bike parking is available throughout the city. Visit the bike parking webpage to request additional bike parking.

Short-term bike racks.

Long-term bike racks.