Angle Parking and Bicycles

Update on Angle Parking in Kansas City (Summer 2010)

Thanks to 4th District Councilmember Beth Gottstein and City Engineer Greg Rokos, back-in angle parking demonstrated in the 4th Council District’s Crossroads Arts District. City engineers are currently working with the neighborhood to find a suitable demonstration location.

Most cities and towns use angle or diagonal parking to squeeze in a few more automobile parking spaces on city streets.

The Problem – Head-In Angle Parking

The traditional design in Kansas City has cars pull forward into the parking space, and then back out of the space into traffic. This design is hazardous to bicyclists because it means cars are blindly backing into traffic and potentially striking bicyclists. It is especially a problem to use head-in angle parking on streets designated as bike routes, where the city is encouraging bicycle traffic.

The Solution – Back-in Angle Parking

Dozens of cities across the country have solved the problem simply reversing the angles. Cars now pull just past the parking space and then back into it. It is like parallel parking, but much easier. To pull out of the space, motorists look left for approaching traffic and then pull forward.

Proven to be safer
Traffic studies have proven that this design reduces collisions between cars and bicyclists.

Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, January 2005 (PDF)
Kulash, W. M. and Lockwood, I.M. (2003) Time-saver Standards for Urban Design, 7.2—5,
McGraw-Hill Professional, New York, New York.

Easier for motorists
While it might seem counter intuitive at first, back-in angle parking is actually easier for motorists. The parking maneuver is similar to the parallel parking that everyone is used to, and the exiting maneuver is much easier. Experience dozens of cities has shown that it is very easy for motorists to learn the new design.

Safer for everyone
Back-in angle parking isn’t just safer for bicyclists, it’s also safer for motorists and their passengers. With better sight lines, it reduces wrecks where people back out into an oncoming vehicle. It also allows for unloading the trunk at the curb, instead of in the street. Finally, open car doors act as barriers to keep children out of the street, instead of deflecting them into traffic.

Win-Win Solution
Back-in angle parking is good for everyone. Business owners can have needed parking capacity, and roadway users are kept safe.

Where is it used?

Many cities use back-in angle parking, either city-wide or in specific locations…

Des Moines, IA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Indianapolis
Knoxville, TN
Charlotte, NC
Salt Lake City, UT
Washington, DC
Marquette, MI
Tucson, AZ
Wilmington, DC
Chico, CA