A bicycle lane is a marked lane on a road carriageway that provides a separated space for cyclists. Bicycle symbols are marked on the road pavement to make it clear to people cycling and motor vehicle drivers that the lane is designated for cycling.

Bicycle lanes are desirable on all distributor roads, which experience greater volumes of motor vehicle traffic. Distributor roads generally  provide more direct routes for people cycling.

Bicycle lanes should always be considered before median islands as a solution for traffic calming. Installing bicycle lanes result in narrowing the traffic lane and is a far cheaper solution than installing a median island to reduce traffic lane widths. Installing medians without a bicycle lane will result in people cycling being forced to compete for space with motor vehicles, one of the most dangerous scenarios. Motorists also tend to favour bicycle lanes as the people cycling are less likely to be in the same space as the vehicle, and it is easier for the motorist to judge the position of people cycling.

Directional Signage

Directional signage provides information to the user about route numbers, destinations and on occasions, the distances to those destinations.

There are two types of directional signage projects eligible for funding

1. PBN route markers and
   
   
2. standard directional signs on poles.

The current Perth Bicycle Network is signed predominately with the sign panels positioned on poles in the ground. Existing routes have signs missing. Many new routes are not signed at all.

PBN route markers are a stencil marking of the local bicycle route number (eg. NW5) on the road and path pavements. Main Roads have agreed to delegate this responsibility to local government authority.

Legal Signage

Every shared path needs a pedestrian and bicycle symbol marked to indicate it is legally a shared path.

Many paths throughout metropolitan Perth are not legally shared paths and need to have the stencils marked.

Funding can be obtained to carry out a larger scale signage program of the existing shared paths within the local municipality. 

PBN Route Marker

Shared Path Signage

A shared path (formerly dual use path) is an area of pavement open to the public that can be used by people cycling and pedestrians. A path is designated as a shared path by means of a sign or symbol on the pavement.

Shared paths are also used by people who require a wheelchair or a motorised "gopher".

The extensive network of shared paths in metropolitan Perth spans more than 1000 kilometres.

However, there are still some key missing sections of shared path.

It is most important that shared paths are installed adjacent to busy roads and along river and coastal foreshore areas.

Many paths around metropolitan Perth do not comply with shared path standards (ie at least 2 m wide with appropriate clearances).

There are also many paths that are not wide enough to effectively carry the high volumes (and mix) of path users. Some of these paths need to be 3 m or more in width.

Path upgrades are particularly necessary at locations where there is potential for safety concerns between interacting pedestrians and people cycling.

There are a number of common deficiencies across the existing network of roads and paths throughout metropolitan Perth. These often become a hazard for the person cycling.

A generic minor works project is one that addresses or improves a common deficiency. Some of the issues to be addressed include:

• Obstructions in the middle of shared paths (such as bollards or grab-rails)
  
  
• Squeeze points due to traffic calming
  
  
• Lack of kerb ramps (or poor standard ramps)
  
  
• Dangerous drainage grates
  
  
• Dangerous road crossings (requiring new or improved median island refuges)

Path repairs or vegetation maintenance works are not eligible for grant funding assistance.

In encouraging people to cycle, it is important to provide adequate end of trip facilities. The most important of these is secure bicycle parking.

End of trip type projects include:

• Bicycle U-rails
  
  
• Bicycle lockers
  
  
• Cora racks
  
  
• Secure compounds (enclosures)
  
  
• Showers
  
  
• Water fountains
  
  
• Clothes lockers

To be eligible for grant funding assistance, end of trip facilities must be installed at public locations such as shopping precincts, parks and reserves, libraries, community and recreational facilities, and schools.