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CC-ACTION ITEM: Discussion and Direction Regarding the Usage of Green Pavement Markings for Bicycle Facilities.
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Meeting Date: March 9, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Thomas Check/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5627
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: E-Mail: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/04/2026)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer, (02/18/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding the usage of green pavement markings for bicycle facilities.
BACKGROUND
The color of pavement markings used on public roadways-including white and yellow lane lines, green bike lanes, and red bus lanes-is regulated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 CFR Part 655. Rather than specifying a discrete color, the FHWA specifies an acceptable area of the color spectrum-known as a color box- for each approved color. This approach allows for variations in the manufacturing process and accounts for in-service wear based on UV exposure and traffic, which can darken or fade colors over time. To remain compliant, colored pavement markings must stay within their defined color box throughout their service life. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that road markings, and the regulations that they convey, remain consistent nationwide and serve their intended purpose.
Since 2017, the City has used a darker shade of green for bicycle lane markings, referred to in this report as "deep green." This shade is on the edge of the FHWA's color box, but darker than what the public typically associates with green bicycle facilities. It was developed by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) in coordination with the film industry in response to concerns that a brighter shade would be more...
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