Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS) is a nationally-used measure of on-road bicyclist comfort level as a function of a roadway’s geometry and traffic conditions. Developed by Sprinkle Consulting, BLOS is in the Highway Capacity Manual. Roadways with a better (lower) score are more attractive (and usually safer) for adult cyclists. See our BLOS calculator.

BLOS evaluation may be useful in several ways:

• A bicycle map can be produced for the public to assist them in route selection.
• The most appropriate routes for inclusion in the community bicycle network can be identified.
• “Weak links” in the network can be determined, and sites needing improvement can be prioritized.
• Alternate treatments for improving bike-friendliness of a roadway can be evaluated.
• Road project selection formulas can include a BLOS or BCI term to encourage implementation of bike planning goals.

We also offer a Pedestrian Level of Service (PLOS) calculator, which assesses walking conditions in tandem with bicycling conditions.

Sidepath Suitability

The on-road BLOS measure is not applicable to off-road sidewalks and sidepaths – paths parallel to and separated from the roadway. Our sidepath suitability form evaluates existing or planned sidepaths, using an LIB-developed algorithm – see Appendix B of our North Aurora Bike Plan (pdf).

Other LIB resources include a 2001 paper comparing BLOS, BCI (Bicycle Compatability Index, and other roadway measures (pdf), and a 2003 presentation on BLOS and PLOS (pdf).

References

Bicycle Level Of Service (BLOS):  Landis, Bruce, “Real-Time Human Perceptions: Toward a Bicycle Level of Service, “Transportation Research Record 1578 (Washington DC, Transportation Research Board, 1997).

Bicycle Compatibility Index (BCI):  “Development of the Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept, Final Report,” FHWA-RD-98-072 (1998).

“Development of the Bicycle Compatibility Index: A Level of Service Concept, Implementation Manual,” FHWA-RD-98-095 (1998).

Pedestrian Level of Service:  Landis, Bruce W., et al. “Modeling the Roadside Walking Environment: A Pedestrian Level of Service.” Transportation Research Record 1773. (Washington, DC, Transportation Research Board, 2001).