2024 Albuquerque Bikeway and Trail Facilities Plan

The following maps display the streets at each LTS ranking and highlight examples of existing bikeways in Albuquerque at each level of stress.

This map shows the level of traffic stress on all streets – including those without any existing bikeway infrastructure – and on paved multi-use trails located outside of street right-of-way.

This map shows the streets and paved multi-use trails with the lowest level of traffic stress that appeal to the broadest range of people interested in bicycling. All paved multi-use trails and sidepaths are classified as LTS 1, because they provide separation from traffic, even when located adjacent to roadways with fast, heavy vehicle traffic. Many residential streets are also classified as LTS 1, because they have low traffic volumes and slower vehicle speeds.

Although many of Albuquerque's residential streets provide a comfortable environment for biking, very few of these streets provide low-stress connections to destinations. In many parts of the Albuquerque, major roadways with fast, heavy vehicle traffic form a half-mile grid, and many people feel unsafe crossing these larger roadways on a bike without enhanced crossing treatments. This results in "low-stress islands" – small pockets of calm and comfortable neighborhood streets that are cut off from destinations by major roadways that many people are afraid to cross on a bike.

This map shows the lowest-stress bikeways – including paved multi-use trails – that appeal to the broadest range of people. Bike boulevards are classified as LTS 1. Unlike most residential streets, Albuquerque’s bike boulevards provide enhanced crossing treatments to protect bicyclists at crossings of major roadways, making them a comfortable and appealing option for bicycling trips.

The Silver Avenue Bike Boulevard is a low-stress bikeway that features extensive signage and pavement markings to raise awareness about the presence of people biking. Though it is a shared road, traffic calming and closed medians at major street crossings limit cut-through traffic, while treatments like striped parking and roundabouts help lower vehicle speeds. As a result, Silver Avenue can be considered a comfortable bikeway for people of all ages and abilities.

Silver Avenue (West of Carlisle Boulevard, Nob Hill)

• Bike boulevard with mixed traffic
• Posted speed limit: 18 MPH
• Daily traffic volume: < 1,000

This map shows lower-stress streets classified as LTS 2. Most people who are "interested but concerned" about bicycling are comfortable riding on LTS 2 streets. Compared to LTS 1 streets, these corridors are more likely to provide signalized crossings of major roadways, helping Burqueños reach destinations outside of their immediate neighborhood by bike. While LTS 2 streets can be found throughout Albuquerque, they do not form a cohesive network connecting to the wide range of places people want to go.

This map shows lower-stress bikeways classified as LTS 2. Standard bike lanes and buffered bike lanes help provide a more comfortable riding environment on many of these corridors.

McKinney Drive features modest vehicle speeds and traffic volumes as well as a bike lane that is sufficiently wide. Most people interested in biking feel comfortable riding on corridors like McKinney Drive.

McKinney Drive (North of Academy Boulevard)

• Standard bike lane
• Bike lane width: 6.5 feet
• Posted speed limit: 30 MPH
• Daily traffic volume: 7,600 cars per day

This map shows higher-stress streets classified as LTS 3. Although more confident bicyclists feel comfortable riding on LTS 3 streets, most people do not feel comfortable doing so, and may choose other modes of transportation rather than biking on these streets.

This map shows higher-stress bikeways classified as LTS 3. Standard bike lanes and buffered bike lanes on major roadways help more confident bicyclists make longer trips, but these bikeways do not appeal to everyone.

Although San Pedro Drive features a buffered bike lane, the street has a posted speed limit of 35 MPH and higher traffic volumes than lower-stress corridors like McKinney Drive. Bikeways like San Pedro Drive appeal to more confident bicyclists, but people who are "interested but concerned" about biking tend to shy away from streets with similar speeds and traffic volumes, even when bike lanes are present.

San Pedro Drive (Lomas Boulevard to Constitution Road)

• Buffered bike lane
• Bike lane width: 6.5 feet
• Posted speed limit: 35 MPH
• Daily traffic volume: 12,850 cars per day

This map shows the highest-stress streets classified as LTS 4, where only the most confident bicyclists are willing to ride. Many of Albuquerque's major roadways – which provide critical connections across barriers like highways – are not a comfortable biking environment for the vast majority of people.

Despite bike lanes and signage, the high traffic volume and posted speed limit and lack of separation between motorists and people who bike make Comanche Road a high-stress bikeway that appeals to only the most confident bicyclists.

Comanche Road (East of I-25)

• Standard bike lane
• Bike lane width: 5’
• Posted speed limit: 40 MPH
• Daily traffic volume: 16,600 cars per day

This map shows the highest-stress bikeways classified as LTS 4. Low-stress alternatives along some of these corridors provide options for a broad range of bicyclists. For example, the Alameda Drain Trail runs parallel to 2nd Street through Albuquerque and Los Ranchos, providing a low-stress alternative to the narrow on-street bike lanes.

Bicycle safety is a critical issue. Between 2016-2020, 14 people died while biking on Albuquerque roads, and over 700 people suffered traffic-related injuries while biking. Many of these severe and fatal crashes occurred on higher-stress facilities – including streets with bike lanes – that coincide with the High Fatal and Injury Network (HFIN).

The City of Albuquerque is committed to Vision Zero and actively working to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries through a variety of strategies, including creating connected, quality bike infrastructure that increases the level of comfort and safety for all riders. Updating the Bikeway and Trail Facilities Plan is an important step towards this goal. This effort will identify and recommend feasible facility types and crossing treatments, prioritizing vulnerable communities and vulnerable road users throughout the process.