Cyclists comprise a diverse group with varying preferences and requirements regarding bicycle infrastructure. While an experienced cyclist may find a particular infrastructure section comfortable, it may be deemed completely unusable by a significant portion of the population.

Constructing comfortable infrastructure can be a challenge. Considering the substantial costs associated with building physical infrastructure we neither want to build too narrow, nor too wide. Although separated bicycle infrastructure tends to be more cost-effective than other transport alternatives, it still requires considerable funding for construction and long-term maintenance. Historically, design guidelines for bicycle infrastructure in Sweden have relied heavily on engineering guesswork and estimates. To optimize the allocation of resources for cycling infrastructure, while at the same time maximizing cycling potential, one way could be to establish a "good enough" minimum width. By "good enough," we imagine a standard where all potential cyclists feel comfortable and safe using the bike paths. Developing wellresearched standards for minimum width requirements in different traffic situations can assist decision-makers and traffic planners in creating a bicycle path network that appeals to cyclists while making efficient use of available funds. 

This work is part of a governmental assignment handed to the Swedish Transport Agency in 2021 regarding if changed traffic rules could lead to an increase in the proportion of road users who travel by bicycle. The Swedish Cycling Research Centre at the Swedish Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) was asked to provide scientific input to the question regarding minimum widths on bicycle infrastructure. Should there be regulated minimum widths and if so, how wide?