Frequently Asked Questions

While some people who bicycle may be comfortable traveling alongside higher-speed traffic, many others will only ride a bicycle if vehicle speeds are low and there is a high level of separation between bicycles and motor vehicles. This plan aspires to create a set of bikeway network options that allow a wide range of people to find a route that works for them, depending on their level of comfort when interacting with other roadway users.

The 2024 Plan focuses on on-street bikeways, including bike routes, bike boulevards, and bike lanes, and paved multi-use trails, such as the Bosque Trail and the Diversion Channel Trail. View for definitions of each facility type.

• Resurfacing/Restriping Efforts: While there is no dedicated funding source for repaving bikeways, every year the City of Albuquerque repaves dozens of miles of municipal roads that include bike lanes. When roads are resurfaced, and depending on the available paved surface area and the roadway context, there may be an opportunity to install new striping designs that include new or wider bike lanes, buffers, and other pavement markings. Through its Complete Streets Annual Maintenance Program, the City installed more than 15 miles of new or enhanced bike lanes in the last two years alone.
• Targeted Improvements: The City uses a range of federal and local funds, including money from general obligation bonds, to repair or construct new paved multi-use trails and on-street bikeways. Bikeways and trails may also be installed as part of roadway rehabilitation or widening projects.
• Private Development: Bikeways and multi-use trails may also be constructed along the frontage of a private development or redevelopment project, depending on the scale of the project and the location. The Long Range Bikeway System, maintained by the Mid-Region Council of Governments, is the primary resource when requiring infrastructure investments as part of private site development.

The 2024 Plan began in late 2022 and will conclude in 2024. The first two phases were organized around Bike to Wherever Day and Bike Thru Burque encouragement events. Phase 1 focused on existing conditions and took place in May 2023 to coincide with National Bike Month and Bike to Wherever Day (May 19). Phase 2 focused on recommendations and prioritization and took place October - November 2023 to overlap with Bike Thru Burque week (October 21 - 27) and ABQ CiQlovía (October 22, 2023). The third phase of engagement occurred from April 22 - May 31, 2024, and focused on collecting public input on the draft plan.

• Background & Plan Goals: Winter 2023
• Existing Conditions Analysis: Spring 2023
• Proposed Networks: Summer 2023
• Policy Recommendations: Fall/Winter 2023
• Cost Estimates & Priority Project Profiles: 2024
• Final Plan/Approval: EPC Summer 2024, City Council Summer/Fall 2024 (subject to change)

The 2024 Bikeway and Trail Facilities Plan updates the 2015 plan to reflect Albuquerque’s growth as a city, incorporates recent investments in on-street bikeways and paved multi-use trails, and considers national best practices in network planning and bikeway design. The Plan also supports and helps implement various City plans and initiatives related to safety and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.

A key area of emphasis is making biking a safer and more appealing option for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds by creating connections that provide access to everyday destinations and support recreational activities. The products include policy and programmatic recommendations and priority project lists for enhancing existing bikeways and trails and the construction of new facilities.

Go to the Documents and Materials tab to view the 2024 Bikeway and Trail Facility Plan.

The 2024 Plan evaluates conditions and develops recommendations for on-street bikeways and multi-use trails within Albuquerque city limits. Conditions for people biking through the Village of Los Ranchos and unincorporated portions of Bernalillo County between Rio Bravo Blvd and Tramway Blvd are also evaluated for the purposes of developing a well-connected network.

Severe cracks and potholes can be major barriers for people bicycling, and maintaining streets and paved multi-use trails in good condition is critical for the safety and comfort of all users. The City of Albuquerque recognizes it is critical to maintain existing facilities in good condition prior to expanding the network and incurring additional maintenance expenses. As such, the 2024 Plan considers the resources required to maintain existing and proposed bikeways.

Road maintenance, including bikeways, is the responsibility of the Department of Municipal Development; maintenance of paved multi-use trails is the responsibility of the Parks & Recreation Department.

A key consideration of the 2024 Plan is how e-bikes interact with other users along paved multi-use trails and on-street bikeways. Plan recommendations will consider emerging best practices in the design of paved multi-use trails to minimize conflicts among bicyclists and pedestrians traveling at different speeds. Proposed State and local legislation that consider which types or classes of e-bikes may be used on paved multi-use trails will be accounted for.

The following information is adapted from People for Bikes.

Electric bicycles are regulated like bicycles. The same rules of the road apply to both electric bicycles and human-powered bicycles. Electric bicycles are not subject to the same registration, licensing, and insurance requirements that apply to motor vehicles.
As of 2023, New Mexico designated three classes of electric bicycles:
• Class 1: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches 20 mph
• Class 2: Bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated motor that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.
• Class 3: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches 28 mph
Class 1 electric bicycles may ride on paved multi-use trails. Through local legislation, cities and towns may allow Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles to do the same.

Plausible near-term indicates that implementation of a project in the next 2-3 years is technically possible, pending available funding, limited utility conflicts, staff capacity, and other considerations. These projects are generally lower cost and complexity and can be implemented within existing curb lines or known public right-of-way. While “plausible near-term” indicates a project could happen, the designation does not indicate a project will happen, as the number of potential improvements greatly exceeds current funding levels.