Community Bicycling Improvements

1. Community Bicycling Improvements Low-Cost Infrastructure and Programmatic Options Speaker: John Devine, AICP – Senior Planner, Northeast Georgia Regional Commission | jdevine@negrc.org

2. Topics: • Infrastructure: On-Road Facilities • Infrastructure: Off-Road Facilities • Infrastructure: General/Other • Planning, Programs, and Policies

3. Infrastructure: On-Road Facilities

4. Bike Lanes on Existing Asphalt[new and re-striped] • Indicates exclusive space • Differentiated by striping and graphics Cost:$5,000+/mi, depending on condition of pavement, need to remove or repaint lane lines, and adjust signalization Implementation: Lane width: • 4 ft on roadway without curb and gutter; • 5 ft with curb and gutter • 11 ft when shared bike lane and parking (no curb); • 12 ft when shared bike lane and parking (with curb)

5. Colored Bike Lanes • Clearly indicates routes for bicyclists • Increases awareness Cost:varies depending on length; a cost-effective approach is coloring conflict zones for approx. $900 Implementation: Red, blue, and green are most common colors for bike lanes. Effective at conflict zones, and in combination with bike boxes.

6. Bike Boxes • Enable bicyclists to position in front of automobile traffic at signalized intersection • Allow easier left turn for bicyclists • Distance motorists from crosswalks Cost:Approx. $2,500, includes paint removal, new thermoplastic, two signs near intersection, parts and labor Implementation: • Signs and markings are important for clarifying how motorists and bicyclists should operate in intersections with bike boxes. • Ensure that triggers for traffic light signals are calibrated for bicyclists.

7. Traffic Light Sensor Adjustment • Decreases unnecessary delays at red lights • Increases safety – cyclists will not have to run red lights Cost:free or minimal Implementation: • Adjust sensitivity of induction loops • Educate cyclists where to stop to be most effective

8. “Sharrows” • Without use of a striped bike lane, a symbol indicates where bicyclists should ride • Helps bicyclists position themselves in lane and encourages safe passage Cost:$250/symbol Implementation: • Roads should have wider outside lane of 14 or 15 feet to accommodate sharrow • Markings should be a minimum of 11 ft from curb on streets with parallel parking • Marking should be placed every 250 ft • Placement on roads with speed limits 35 mph and less

9. Road Diet • Reduces number of lanes on roadway to provide space for bicycle lanes • May reduce the severity of accidents (FHWA study) Cost:varies with scope and scale, to re-stripe 4-lane street is approx. $5,000-$20,000 per mile Implementation: • Does not require major roadway improvements other than re-striping

10. Athens-Clarke County policy: evaluate 4-lane streets w/less than 20,000 AADT for Road Diets Before: four lanes After: 3 lanes (incl. median turn lane) and bike lanes NE GA Case Study: Road Diet Athens-Clarke Co. Baxter St. (at Milledge Ave.)

11. Repair/Avoid Surface Irregularities • Drainage grates and utility covers can be a hazard • Re-orient grates perpendicular to direction of travel • Repair sunken manholes and utility covers • Paint warning markers on roadway to navigate around irregularities Cost:minimal to several thousand

12. Covington, GA • Newton County • 35 mi. from ATL • 45 mi. from ATH • Active cycling community and advocacy Project • 26 grates and 1 manhole cover were 2” – 4” below grade • Took up half+ width of bike lanes Total Cost: $10,945 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I9MjhFDCXg NE GA Case Study: Drainage Grates Covington, GA Floyd St.

13. Railroad Crossing Improvements • Crossings at an angle less than 45 degrees can be dangerous to bicyclists • Providing a more perpendicular approach angle is helpful • Fill flangeway with concrete or rubber inserts Cost:minimal for creating wider approach; $25,000 for inserts Implementation: consider railroad responsibility

14. Infrastructure: Off-Road Facilities

15. Trail Crosswalks [new and re-striped] • Guide cyclists and pedestrians to safe crossing • Serve as a warning to motorists Cost:$100 for crosswalk with 2 lines; $300 for ladder or zebra crosswalk Implementation: Tape is more cost-effective and visible (and less slippery) than paint for marking crosswalks.

16. Infrastructure: General/Other

17. Light Maintenance • Enhances safety and convenience • May include: sweeping streets, trimming vegetation, removing gravel, controlling overgrowth Cost:minimal

18. Signs • Provide road safety info • Give motorists advance warning about bicyclist and pedestrian activity • Can include regulatory, warning, and informational signage Cost:$50 - $150 per sign + $150 for installation

19. WayfindingSignage • Signs indicating a greenway, bike route, or other pathway can help bicyclists and pedestrians with navigation • Aids new facility users (including tourists) • Enhances the awareness of motorists Cost:$50 - $150+ per sign; installation varies

20. Bicycle Parking • Availability of safe and convenient bike parking is critical for encouraging bicycle use Cost:varies, $100 - $1,000 Implementation: • Visibility, access, good distribution, and abundance are key • Placement should be on wide sidewalks with high pedestrian activity for safety • Ideally, bike parking should be covered • Consider bike parking regulations for new developments

21. Classic Center • Downtown Athens convention center and theater Project • Initiated by the Classic Center Cultural Fndn. • Goal: useable art • Built 2 of 20 proposed racks • Mike Ely • Joshua Jordan NE GA Case Study: Art Bike Racks Athens-Clarke Co. The Classic Center

22. Public Transportation • Bike Racks: Enables bicyclists to commute more easily and encourages multi-modal transportation • Bicycle parking at transit facilities • Bus stops: Consider how their position relates to bicycling infrastructure Cost:varies: $250+

23. Athens Multi-Modal Transportation Center • Athens Transit • UGA Campus Transit • Commuter rail-capable NE GA Case Study: Bikes and Transit Athens-Clarke Co. Bus Bike Racks and Facility Parking

24. Planning, Programs, and Policies

25. Planning • Use your Regional Commissions! • GDOT can help • Examples • Regional Plans • Local Plans • SRTS • Rails-to-Trails • Programming and Education • Cost: low or no fee for RC work

26. NE GA Case Study: Planning GDOT-funded Regional and Local Plans

27. Programs • Walk/Bike to work and school days • Wayfinding maps for pedestrians and bicyclists • Educational programs for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists • Law Enforcement • Marketing campaigns • “Bike buddies” program • Group rides • Cost:minimal; organizational and programmatic costs

28. NE GA Case Study: Good Hope Welcomes Bikes “Happy to Share Our Roads” GUEST: Mayor Randy Garrett

29. Policies • “Complete Streets” • Bike lane dedication for new facilities • Concurrency • New school siting • “Road Diets” • Street connectivity • On-site access, parking, and circulation ordinance • Cost: low or no fee for RC work

30. Questions? John Devine, AICP – Senior Planner, Northeast Georgia Regional Commission – jdevine@negrc.org