What is a Neighborhood Byway?
Neighborhood Byways create pleasant and convenient routes for people using active modes of transportation by encouraging safe travel speeds, discouraging cut-through vehicle traffic, providing safe crossings of busy streets, and connecting people to destinations.
Few changes are needed on the quiet streets themselves. The network is realized by providing safe, often signalized crossings at the major barrier streets, and reducing vehicle traffic volumes along the route to make walking safer and more enjoyable. “Neighborhood byways” is a term recognizing that these corridors create a network for both people walking and riding bicycles.
Ideal Byway Street Characteristics
- Low vehicle traffic volumes and low speeds
- Direct connections between neighborhood destinations
- Greening along the route such as street trees
Improvements That Make Byways Better
- Safe crosswalks and signals where the route crosses busy and high speed roads
- Traffic calming along the route where speeding is an issue
- Way-finding signage and paint markings
- Improved connections to existing walking and biking routes
- Curb ramps for people riding bikes (where necessary)
Byway Routes
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Neighborhood Byway?
Neighborhood Byways create pleasant and convenient routes for walking, bicycling, rolling, and other active modes of transportation by encouraging safe travel speeds, discouraging cut-through vehicle traffic, providing safe crossings of busy streets, and connecting people to destinations.
How is a street chosen to be a Neighborhood Byway?
Neighborhood byways are identified in the Salt Lake City Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and are commonly located along streets with the following characteristics:
- Narrow residential streets with low to modest vehicle traffic speeds and volumes
- Direct connections between parks, schools, businesses, and other community destinations
- Greening along the route such as shade trees
What changes are considered along these routes?
Infrastructure changes along these routes will be analyzed and vetted through a planning and public engagement process. Possible changes may include:
- Curb extensions (also known as bulb-outs) at the corners of the intersections to shorten the distance when crossing the street and help calm vehicle traffic
- Wayfinding signage and pavement markings to guide bicyclists along the byway
- Opportunities for additional greening such as street trees or landscaped medians
- Various traffic calming elements to slow vehicle speeds and discourage cut- through vehicle traffic, such as speed humps, traffic circles, and more
I live on a planned Neighborhood Byway. How will this affect getting to and from my home?
Neighborhood Byways create streets where residents can safely and comfortably bike, walk, and roll with children or pets. To create this safe and comfortable environment, some traffic calming improvements and minor street access modifications may be needed to manage vehicle speeds and prevent cut-through traffic. However, residents will still be able to easily access to their property.
How can I stay informed on the development of these Neighborhood Byways?
Join our Neighborhood Byways newsletter! You can also learn more by exploring the individual Neighborhood Byway pages on this website.
Can I drive my car on Neighborhood Byways?
Yes! While vehicles are not prohibited, Neighborhood Byways routes are improved for active modes of transportation such as walking and biking. The focus is on creating a network that enhances the experience for pedestrians and cyclists by ensuring safety and convenience.
How can I provide feedback or suggestions?
Your feedback is essential! We continually seek input to improve the Salt Lake City Neighborhood Byways for all users. Share your thoughts, suggestions, or experiences with the Salt Lake City Transportation Division via email at byways@slc.gov.
Byway Design Guide
The Salt Lake City Neighborhood Byways Design Guidelines provide a detailed framework for transforming local streets into safe and enjoyable routes for walking and biking. Emphasizing low-speed, low-traffic environments, the guidelines include strategies for route selection, intersection improvements, and traffic calming measures. The goal is to enhance connectivity, safety, and neighborhood livability, making active transportation more accessible and pleasant for all residents. Download the full guidelines to explore SLC’s vision for vibrant, connected communities.
Citywide Byways Map
The following Byway routes were identified in Salt Lake City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan in 2015.
600 East Byway Photos
These photos show some of the infrastructure that Salt Lake City has built on the 600 East Byway.
Contact Us
Stay in the loop by signing up for the Neighborhood Byways email list!
Email | byways@slc.gov