Bicycle Lane: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：bike lane (bicycle lane)

bicycle lane 🔊

/ˈbaɪsɪkəl leɪn/

A special part of the road marked only for people riding bicycles to use safely.

Bicycle lane on sunny street with cyclist separated from cars

bike lane 🔊

➕

/baɪk leɪn/

A designated part of the road marked for cyclists only, providing safety separation from motor vehicles.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Bicycle from bi- (two) + cycle (wheel) + lane (narrow path).

💡 Mnemonic

Two wheels (bi-cycle) need a lane (lane) to roll safely.

📖 Example

Every morning, I ride with my daughter in the bicycle lane to her school, and it feels safe and pleasant. 🔊 Every morning, I ride with my daughter in the bicycle lane to her school, and it feels safe and pleasant.

🔗 Collocations

dedicated bicycle lane – A lane reserved exclusively for bicycles

bicycle lane network – A system of connected bicycle lanes

bicycle lane divider – A physical barrier separating bike lane from car traffic

🔄 Synonyms

cycle lane (n.) – Synonym for bicycle lane, commonly used in British English

bike path (n.) – A broader term that may include off-road routes

cycling track (n.) – A specially constructed path for cycling, often separated from roads

🚫 Antonyms

motorway (n.) – A high-speed road for motor vehicles only

sidewalk (n.) – A path for pedestrians, not for cyclists

mixed traffic lane (n.) – Road lane shared by all vehicles including bicycles

🌱 Derivatives

bicyclist (n.) – A person who rides a bicycle

lane marking (n.) – Paint or symbols on the road indicating lane boundaries

laned (adj.) – Having lanes (e.g., a laned road)

📖 Cultural Story

The first dedicated bicycle lanes appeared in the late 19th century in Europe, notably in the Netherlands, to separate cyclists from horse-drawn carriages, evolving into modern urban infrastructure.