ITE Webinar: Separation Anxiety: Getting Bike Lane Buffers and Barriers Right

This webinar is led by the Complete Streets Council and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee.

When: November 17, 2026 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET

Webinar Description:

Buffers and barriers can turn a painted bike lane into a facility that people of all ages and abilities feel comfortable using, but getting separation right means balancing safety, comfort, accessibility, cost, maintenance, and climate. This webinar brings together perspectives from Portland, Dallas, Seattle, and Anchorage to explore the practical realities of designing, building, and maintaining separated bike facilities.

Lisa Strader of the Portland Bureau of Transportation opens with an accessibility lens, examining how elements meant to protect cyclists can create barriers for people with disabilities and sharing design fundamentals to avoid them. Josh Peterman of Fehr & Peers presents a quick-build materials toolbox that helps agencies compare separation options by budget, timeline, durability, maintenance, and aesthetics. Nora Daley-Peng of GreenPlum Street LLC shows how Seattle used GIS, field data collection, and a little spray paint to site shared micromobility parking corrals that keep sidewalks and bikeways clear. Brandon Telford of the Municipality of Anchorage closes by asking whether a barrier is worth the expense in a winter city, where snow storage, plowing equipment, and seasonal demand reshape the cross section.

Moderated by Chris Grgich of Fehr & Peers, the session will conclude with audience Q&A. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for selecting, placing, and maintaining bike lane separation that works for every user and every season.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize how bike lane buffers and barriers can create obstacles for people with disabilities, and describe design fundamentals for avoiding them.
• Compare quick-build separation materials based on budget, timeline, durability, maintenance needs, and aesthetics.
• Describe how GIS analysis, field data collection, and low-cost pilots can inform the siting and design of shared micromobility parking corrals.
• Explain how snow storage, clear zone, and snow-clearing equipment needs shape bike lane separation decisions in winter cities.
• Distinguish between the comfort and safety benefits of physical separation when evaluating whether a barrier is worth the investment.

Moderator: Christopher A. Grgich, PE, PTOE, Senior Associate | Fehr & Peers | Seattle, Washington, USA

Presenters:

• Lisa Strader, ADA Coordinator | Portland Bureau of Transportation | Portland, Oregon, USA
• Nora Daley-Peng, AICP, Principal | GreenPlum Street LLC | Tavira, Portugal
• Josh Peterman, PE, Principal | Fehr & Peers | Dallas, Texas, USA
• Brandon Telford, PE, Engineering Section Manager | Municipality of Anchorage | Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Fees:
ITE Members: Free
Non-Members: $79

Registration includes access to the live webinar and the on-demand recording for 30 days.

Non-members must create an ITE account to register here.

Last Day to Register On-Demand: Will be posted when the recording is uploaded.

Non-members must create an ITE account to register here.