Do Complete Streets Offer Cyclists High Levels of Service? Applying David Harkey’s Bicycle Compatibility Index to Seattle and Copenhagen’s Complete Street Networks

Abstract

Cities like Seattle are looking to increase active transportation trips like cycling over automotive trips to meet sustainability and equity goals. Seattle works to create “complete streets,” roads that provide infrastructure for safe travel for all transportation modes, to encourage cycling for those who may not feel as comfortable biking alongside cars. This study uses Harkey’s bicycle compatibility index, a bicycle level of service model, to assess two cities' complete street networks to understand how compatible complete streets are with biking; Seattle and Copenhagen. After using Harkey’s assessment tool on road samples that best imitate the complete street design standards, this study found varying bicycle compatibility scores within each cities’ networks. Overall Copenhagen had higher bicycling compatibility across road segments. These results led to several conclusions, one being that while bicycle level of service may be important, it does not directly impact cyclist presence. Findings also revealed policy recommendations Seattle should consider if the city wants to improve its bicycle infrastructure.