Ride On, Royal Oak!

Whether you’re a savvy cyclist or relatively new to biking, here is information you can use for getting around on two wheels in Royal Oak.

What's the difference between a bike lane and a shared lane?


Bike Lane

A bike lane is the portion of a roadway that has been designated by pavement markings (bicycle with arrow) for the exclusive use of  bicyclists.

Motorists should never drive in a bike lane.

A variant of a conventional bicycle lane is a buffered bicycle lane. This type of bicycle lane is accompanied by a designated buffer space, separating the bicycle lane from the adjacent motor vehicle travel lane. 

Shared Lane

Sharrows or shared lane markings (bicycle with chevron) can be found in locations where there is insufficient width to provide a designated bike lane. The markings alert drivers to share the road.


Motorists and bicyclists may both ride in this joint lane,

Bike Lane

Bike Lane

Shared Lane

Shared Lane
City-Wide Bike Routes

City-Wide Bike Routes Map

A city-wide bike routes map is available to help you navigate your ride around town. 

Learn where the signed bike routes, shared bike lanes and dedicated bike lanes exist in Royal Oak.

View (PDF) and/or  download a map.

Can You Ride Your Bike on the Sidewalk Downtown?


Per city code 650-3, the operation of a bicycle, electric-assisted bicycle, or motorized scooter is prohibited on all sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks in the downtown area.

Signs indicating you must walk your bike on downtown sidewalks were put in place in July 2015.
Why is there green paint on the road

Be Safe!

Bicyclists are much more likely to suffer an injury or fatality in a traffic crash than drivers, according to the  Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). In fact, while pedestrian and bicycle crashes make up approximately 2 percent of all traffic crashes, they account for almost 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in Southeast Michigan.