The European Union is promoting a circular economy in which waste management plays an essential role. Although many studies focusing on the use of recycled materials in the manufacture of asphalt mixtures for roads have been developed, studies related to the use of recycled materials for the construction of bike lanes are scarce. In this context, the main objective of this research is to explore the behaviour of asphalt mixtures with high replacement rates of recycled materials—reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and ceramic waste—by natural aggregates for the construction of bike lanes. A total of six types of asphalt mixtures were designed by combining the content of the recycled materials and natural aggregates, with replacement rates ranging from 50% to 100%. The asphalt mixtures were characterized by determining the bulk and maximum density; the void content in the mixture; and the aggregate, stability, and deformation. In conclusion, the mixture C50R50, which consists of a full replacement of natural fine and coarse aggregates by 50% ceramic waste aggregate and 50% RAP, is proposed as the most appropriate sustainable solution. In this way, the use of this asphalt mixture allows for boosting the use of recycled aggregates as well as minimizing the consumption of virgin bitumen due to its residual bitumen content. Compared to the reference asphalt mixture consisting of 100% of natural aggregates, C50R50 is a more open mixture, with higher void content and somewhat more brittleness. Even so, the mixture C50R50 could be good enough for use in low traffic roads.
This study introduces a novel and user-centered surface abrasion test designed to assess the injury potential of pavement surfaces, particularly for vulnerable road users such as micromobility users. Traditional pavement evaluation methods focus on skid resistance and texture but do not account for the surface’s mechanical aggressiveness during a fall. To address this gap, the proposed test simulates fall conditions by dragging a paraffin wax specimen—used as a low-cost and reproducible proxy to approximate the abrasive response that could affect human skin—over pavement at a controlled speed and load, quantifying material loss as an indicator of surface abrasiveness. The method was validated on three pavement types (smooth ceramic, bituminous, and concrete), demonstrating its sensitivity and repeatability. Unlike conventional point-based tests, it enables continuous evaluation along a predefined length, offering more representative results. A full-scale case study on a micromobility-dedicated bike lane confirmed the test’s responsiveness to surface changes over time. Results suggest the method is practical, reproducible, and applicable to a wide range of pavements. Beyond micromobility, it can be extended to other vulnerable users, such as motorcyclists. The test represents a new metric for infrastructure safety audits focused on injury mitigation.