National Association of City Transportation Officials

City Limits Quick Guide - NACTO Conducting a safe speed study and using the risk matrix, aligned with MUTCD guidance

See how to set safer speed limits in your city.
nacto.org/publication/...

States rethink a long-held practice of setting speed limits based on how fast drivers travel Road safety activists and some states are pushing to depart from a longstanding rule that sets speed limits in the United States based largely on how fast drivers actually travel.

We can't lower traffic deaths without lowering speeds.

Lower speeds mean safer, more vibrant streets. And healthier, happier cities.
apnews.com/article/spee...

The Urban Bikeway Design Guide is more than a kit of parts to design a bike lane: it provides the how-to blueprint for creating a whole bike network for people of all ages and abilities.

Starting September 3, NACTO members are invited to in-depth trainings on the guide:
nacto.org/events/bike-...

This City Is Getting Serious About Sidewalks. Will Others Follow Suit? Denver’s new sidewalk program shifts the responsibility from property owners to the city. It’s a far-reaching plan to improve thousands of miles of infrastructure.

Coming soon to Denver: $75 million worth of new sidewalks!
www.governing.com/infrastructu...

Shifting Gears to Urban Bike Delivery — Streetsblog USA Bikes can revolutionize delivery in urban areas. A new report outlines how policymakers can spur them in their communities.

"Foundational to having successful delivery by bike programs is having a complete, connected, and comfortable bike network."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/07/30/s...

The Dutch Intersection Is Coming to Save Your Life Inspired by road safety innovations widely used in the Netherlands, several US cities are installing street crossings that can better protect pedestrians and bicyclists.

"The new NACTO document even put a protected intersection on its cover — a reference, says director of policy and practice Stefanie Seskin, to this edition’s emphasis that cycling infrastructure goes beyond the bike lane."
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Transportation Justice Fellows Reflect On Their Commitment to Transportation Equity - NACTO The Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP) celebrated the conclusion of its 2024-2025 Transportation Justice Fellowship program earlier this month with a ceremony recognizing this year’s cohort of 11 tr...

“The Better Bike Share Roundtable affirmed the need to center lived experience. It also challenged us to think critically about the language we use—what we mean by ‘justice,’ ‘mobility,’ and ‘community’—and who gets left out when we don’t.”
–Jalonda Hill
nacto.org/latest/trans...

YouTube video by Streetfilms® Dunbar High School's Coach Clark Leads DC's Bike Bus (and Receives a World Bicycle Day Award!)

So...I am in DC for @nacto.bsky.social #NACTO2025 and this AMAZING video transpired yesterday with a bike bus ride with students. The stars really aligned and it was such an amazing ride! With Coach Clark, @coachbalto.bsky.social @jskstreet.bsky.social & more!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb8c...

WalkShops, WalkShops, WalkShops! #DesigningCities

Day 1 of #DesigningCities: Old friends, new faces, clarion calls to action, a reception inside of a repurposed rail car (!), and, of course, #PlannersPointing.

Urban Bikeway Design Guide: Clear Bikeways in All Weather Conditions - NACTO In January, NACTO published the third edition of Urban Bikeway Design Guide, its first update in a decade. The new edition goes beyond a kit of parts to a more complete how-to manual for designing saf...

What should cities take into consideration when planning and investing in equipment for bikeway sweeping, selecting and trimming vegetation, and winter weather maintenance?

Learn more in the latest excerpt from the third edition of NACTO's Urban Bikeway Design Guide: nacto.org/latest/urban...

When planning a bike network, cities should also make a plan for clearing bike lanes in all weather conditions.

Design and policy decisions that prioritize regular bikeway clearing make it possible for people to access bike networks year-round.

📸 @boston.gov PWD + @seattledot.bsky.social

Urban Bikeway Design Guide: Balancing Safety and Operational Needs at Signalized Intersections - NACTO Header photo: Seattle’s first protected intersection. Credit: Seattle DOT In January, NACTO published the third edition of Urban Bikeway Design Guide, its first update in a decade. The new edition goe...

Signal phasing and timing are core tools for better intersection design.

Along bikeways, signal plans should:

> Optimize operations for people biking, walking, and taking transit.
> Supplement signal operations with geometric features.

Read more: nacto.org/latest/urban...

Urban Bikeway Design Guide: Designing Safe, Unsignalized Bikeway Crossings - NACTO In January, NACTO published the third edition of Urban Bikeway Design Guide, its first update in a decade. The new edition goes beyond a kit of parts to a more complete how-to manual for designing saf...

How do you design bikeway crossings at unsignalized intersections?

- Evaluate for lane reductions
- Apply roundabout concepts
- Reduce speed and volume
- Identify appropriate intersection control
- Use crossbikes and crosswalks

Read more: nacto.org/latest/urban...

NACTO provides our members with valuable technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and forums for sharing best practices. NACTO members showcase new projects, receive feedback, explore common challenges, and learn from shared experiences.

nacto.org/about-member...

Redmond, Washington adopted a comprehensive safety action plan on April 15 and is already moving forward with two recommended projects from that plan: conducting a citywide speed reduction study and pedestrian safety improvements along a key multilane transit corridor.

New Braunfels, Texas adopted a Street Safety Action Plan in 2024 and has since initiated or completed nine of ten priority safety projects. @newbraunfels.bsky.social

Mesa, Arizona’s 2050 Transportation Master Plan maps out plans for comprehensive bike and pedestrian networks, and their upcoming Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will identify specific strategies and projects to reduce transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries. @cityofmesa.bsky.social

Decatur, Georgia’s nearly-complete Safe Streets Safety Action Plan aims to enhance roadway safety for all users and eliminate traffic fatalities.

Cleveland, Ohio adopted the ambitious Cleveland Moves transportation plan earlier this year, which includes plans to build 50 miles of high-comfort bikeways in three years. @cityofcleveland.bsky.social

Anchorage, Alaska recently launched a Neighborhood Greenways program and is expanding Vision Zero efforts by hiring a dedicated Vision Zero coordinator.

NACTO Welcomes Six North American Cities as New Members - NACTO Anchorage, Alaska; Cleveland, Ohio; Decatur, Georgia; Mesa, Arizona; New Braunfels, Texas; and Redmond, Washington join network of city transportation agencies

The range in geography and size among these new members reflects the growing momentum for people-centered street design. Their experiences + insights will strengthen our collective ability to build safe, sustainable, + accessible transportation systems.

nacto.org/latest/nacto...

🎇Welcome to our six new NACTO members!🎇

Anchorage, Alaska
Cleveland, Ohio
Decatur, Georgia
Mesa, Arizona
New Braunfels, Texas
Redmond, Washington

NACTO’s network empowers cities to share bold ideas, test new approaches, and scale up what works.

Urban Bikeway Design Guide: Reassess and Reorganize the Intersection - NACTO In January, NACTO published the third edition of Urban Bikeway Design Guide, its first update in a decade. The new edition goes beyond a kit of parts to a more complete how-to manual for designing saf...

When creating better bikeway intersections, start the design process by critiquing the purpose of the intersection within the motor vehicle, transit, bikeway, and pedestrian network.

Read the latest excerpt from the new Urban Bikeway Design Guide: nacto.org/latest/urban...

Urban Bikeway Design Guide: Protected Bike Lanes - NACTO Header photo credit: NYC DOT In January, NACTO published the third edition of Urban Bikeway Design Guide, its first update in a decade. The new edition goes beyond a kit of parts to a more complete ho...

Converting an existing constrained bike lane to a protected bike lane can be expected to reduce motor vehicle-bike crashes by over 50%. They can decrease risk by 90% when compared to a major street with no cycling infrastructure. nacto.org/latest/urban...

Protected bike lanes are separated from general-purpose travel lanes with both a buffer and a vertical element, such as a median, curb, or flexible delineators.

Protected bike lanes, also known as separated bike lanes, provide a comfortable bike facility for people of all ages and abilities on all types of streets. They are proven tools for safer streets and are essential to every city’s bike network.

Today's Urban Bikeway Design Guide excerpt: Advisory Bike Lanes.

They are most common along small residential streets with parking. Motor vehicles operate in yield conditions in a central travel lane & there are dashed bike lanes on each side of the street.

Read more: nacto.org/latest/urban...

Don’t miss their sessions at Designing Cities 2025, hosted by the District DOT in Washington DC, from May 28 to May 31.

If you haven’t registered yet, get your tickets soon! Registration closes on April 30, 2025 or when tickets sell out.

events.bizzabo.com/designingcit...

In 2025, our nine-member Program Committee is planning conference sessions that will cover everything from transitioning temporary projects to permanent ones to strategies for hosting large-scale sporting events.