NACTO Street Design Guides
| Publisher | National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) |
| Type | Free online reference guides |
| Cost | Free (online access) |
| Access | nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide |
| Best for | Technical specifications, advocacy ammunition, design standards |
What It Is
NACTO's design guides are the global standard for cycling and street infrastructure design. Written by and for cities, they provide detailed specifications, diagrams, and case studies for every type of cycling infrastructure.
The Guides
Urban Street Design Guide
The blueprint for designing 21st century streets. Shows how streets of every size can be reimagined to prioritise cycling, walking, and public transport.
Urban Bikeway Design Guide
The definitive reference for cycling infrastructure design — every type of bike lane, intersection treatment, and signal with detailed specifications.
Global Street Design Guide
Street design principles for cities worldwide — including developing-world contexts relevant to Indian cities.
How to Use These Guides
- Learn the vocabulary — know the difference between a buffered bike lane, a separated cycle track, and a shared-use path
- Find your design — look up the specific infrastructure type you need for your street
- Get the specs — lane widths, buffer sizes, signal timing, intersection geometry
- Present with authority — "NACTO recommends..." carries weight in any council meeting
Why This Matters for She Cycles
When someone says "we can't build bike lanes on this road," NACTO shows you exactly how cities around the world have done it on roads just like yours. The guides are your technical ammunition for advocacy meetings.
See Also
- Streetmix — design your own street using NACTO principles
- Street Audit Toolkit — assess your city's current infrastructure
- Council Presentation Toolkit — present your findings