bikeway
Meaning
a path, lane, or road designated for use by bicycles.
Structure
Usage
the city council approved funds to extend the riverside bikeway by three miles.
for safety, cyclists are encouraged to use the designated bikeway instead of the main road.
the new urban plan includes a network of bikeways connecting all major parks.
Etymology
the word 'bikeway' is a modern english compound, formed in the 20th century as cycling infrastructure developed. its first element, 'bike', is a clipped form of 'bicycle', which itself originates from the french 'bicyclette', combining latin 'bi-' (two) and greek 'kyklos' (wheel). the second element, 'way', descends from the old english 'weg', a common germanic term for a path or road, traceable to the proto-indo-european root weǵh- meaning 'to go or transport'. the compound logically denotes a path specifically designed for the 'going' or transport via bicycle, reflecting a functional specialization of the general concept of a way.
Analysis
bike (shortened form of 'bicycle', from greek via french/latin, meaning 'two-wheeled vehicle'); way (from old english 'weg', of germanic origin, meaning 'a road, path, or course for traveling').