Despite this, the operator of a motor vehicle may (incompletely) regard a street as merely a

thoroughfare for vehicular travel or parking. As far as concerns the driver, a street can be one-
way or two-way: vehicles on one-way streets may travel in only one direction, while those on two-
way streets may travel both ways. One way streets typically have signs reading "ONE WAY" and an
arrow showing the direction of allowed travel. Most two-way streets are wide enough for at least
two lanes of traffic.
Which lane is for which direction of traffic depends on what country the street is located in. On
broader two-way streets, there is often a centre line marked down the middle of the street separating
those lanes on which vehicular traffic goes in one direction from other lanes in which traffic goes in
the opposite direction. Occasionally, there may be a median strip separating lanes of opposing
traffic. If there is more than one lane going in one direction on a main street, these lanes may be
separated by intermittent lane lines, marked on the street pavement. Side streets often do not have
centre lines or lane lines.
Parking for vehicles[edit]
Main article: Parking

Many streets, especially side streets in residential areas, have an extra lane's width on one or both
sides for parallel parking. Most minor side streets allowing free parallel parking do not have
pavement markings designating the parking lane. Main streets more often have parking lanes
marked. Some streets are too busy or narrow for parking on the side. Sometimes parking on the
sides of streets is allowed only at certain times. Curbside signs often state regulations about parking.
Some streets, particularly in business areas, may have parking meters into which coins must be paid
to allow parking in the adjacent space for a limited time. Other parking meters work on a credit card
and ticket basis or pay and display. Parking lane markings on the pavement may designate the
meter corresponding to a parking space. Some wide streets with light traffic allow angle
parking or herringbone parking.
Sidewalk and bicycle traffic[edit]
Sidewalks (US usage) or pavements (UK usage) are often located alongside on one or usually both
sides of the street within the public land strips beyond the curbs. Sidewalks serve a traffic purpose,
by making walking easier and more attractive, but they also serve a social function, allowing
neighbors to meet and interact on their walks. They also can foster economic activity, such as
window shopping and sidewalk cafes. Some studies have found that shops on streets with sidewalks
get more customers than similar shops without sidewalks.[7]
An important element of sidewalk design is accessibility for persons with disabilities. Features that
make sidewalks more accessible include curb ramps, tactile paving and accessible traffic signals.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires accessibility improvement on new and reconstructed
streets within the US.
In most jurisdictions, bicycles are legally allowed to use streets, and required to follow the same
traffic laws as motor vehicle traffic. Where the volume of bicycle traffic warrants and available right-
of-way allows, provisions may be made to separate cyclists from motor vehicle traffic. Wider lanes
may be provided next to the curb, or shoulders may be provided. Bicycle lanes may be used on busy
streets to provide some separation between bicycle traffic and motor vehicle traffic.
The bicycle lane may be placed between the travel lanes and the parking lanes, between the parking
lanes and the curb, or for increased safety for cyclists, between curb and sidewalk. These poorer
designs can lead to Dooring incidents and are unsafe for cycling.
A more sensible design is found in the Netherlands with a Protected Bicycle Path totally separate
from the traffic which is safe for cycling.