kevin ressler for mayor - storage.googleapis.com · • conduct walkability and safe routes...

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KEVINRESSLERFORMAYOR CITYOFLANCASTERACTIVETRANSPORTATIONVISIONDRAFTApril28,2017

OVERVIEW

1. BackgroundandDescriptionTheneedforanequitableactivetransportationsystemisagrowingneedforCityofLancasterresidents.Concernsoveraffordabletransportationoptions,thelackofsafetyforcurrentcyclists,thequalityofurbanair,publichealth,anddiminishingparkingoptionsinourneighborhoodshavecatalyzedthecreationofthisCityofLancasterActiveTransportationVision.ThisvisionextendsbeyondtheexistingLancasterCountyActiveTransportationPlan,focusingparticularlyonservingCityofLancasterresidents.Furthercommunityinsightwillbenecessaryforthisvisiontobecomplete.Thepurposeofthisdocumentistoprovide;(1)avisionforenhancingtheCityofLancaster’sactivetransportationsystemviaengineering,education,encouragement,evaluation/planning,andenforcementand(2)anoverviewofthecurrentstateofactivetransportationintheCityofLancaster.

2. ProjectScopeThescopeofanenhancedactivetransportationplanwillincludethefollowing“5E’s”(adoptedfromtheLeagueofAmericanBicyclists),withoverallfocusonequitableimplementation,sothatallneighborhoodscanthrive;

(1) EquitableEngineering:• Conductwalkabilityandsaferoutes(walkingandbiking)toschoolaudits• Anurbanwalkingtrailsystem,connectingallneighborhoodstothedowntowndistrictandallquadrantstoeach

other.Urbantrailwillfeaturehistoric(culturalandnatural)andartisticlandmarks.• ACityofLancasterbikingwayfindingsystemthatconnectsallquadrantstothedowntownandtoeachotherand

tokeylandmarks(busstation,trainstation,educationalcenters,etc.)• Designatedprotectedbikelanesandsharrows• Bikeracksandpump/repairstationsthroughoutcity• Bike-shareprogramallowingformobilityofall,connectingtoexistingpublictransitsystems

(2) EducationalOutreach-forbikers,pedestrians,andmotorists:

• SafeRoutestoSchoolsProgram(SRTS):link• UtilizingtrainedskillsfromlocalLeagueCyclingInstructors• HostingCommunityWorkshopsw/focusedoutreachtounderservedcommunitiesandhighlyparticipatory

neighborhoods/blocks• StreetSignage-denotingurbanwalkingtrailw/historic/artistic/culturallandmarksbeyondthedowntown

districtandbikepathways• UpdateCityofLancasterWebsitetoincludeinformationalvideos(“Dutchreach”,etc.),signage,etc.• Developcycling/walkingmap

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(3) Encouragement:• WorkingcollaborativelytocreateabikingandpedestrianfriendlycultureintheCityofLancaster• Designandpublishalocalon-lineandpaperbikemap(includingbikerepairstationsandparking,publictransit

hubs,waterfountains,historiclandmarks,etc.)• Createincentivesforlocalbusinessestoaccommodatetheircyclingemployees(bicycleparking,showers,etc.)• ImproveRedRosetransitstationswithcommunityinput

(4) EvaluationandPlanning:

• ActiveandDiverseParticipation(allwardsrepresented)inaCityofLancasterBicyclingPedestrianAdvisoryCommittee(BPAC)

• CollaborativedevelopmentinaphasedCityofLancasterBikeMasterPlan

(5) Enforcement:• Publicsafetyofficerswillhelpensurethatallresidentsaresafelyabidingtocityandstatetransportation

regulations• Policeofficerswillaccompanygroupbikeridesaspartofbuildingcultureandawareness

3. High-LevelRequirementsPrioritiesunderthisenvisionedplanmustincludethefollowing:

• Equitabilityofinfrastructure,sothatallinterestedresidentshaveaccessibilitytotheservices,includingaparticipatorybudgetingprocess

• Safebike/walkconnectivitytoallmajorpublictransithubs,educationalcenters,andtoneighborhoodsofthecity

• Low-minimalupfrontandmanagementcosts(focusonfundingbygrants,greenbonds,alsosee“Funding”)

• Collaborativelocalpartnershipstoadvanceinclusionandcommunityengagement

4. AssessmentsofCityofLancaster’sActiveTransitLeagueofAmericanBicyclists:

• 2015BronzeRatingonReportCard:link• 2015Recommendations:link

LancasterBikes!CoalitionforaBicycleFriendlyLancaster:

• BikeCrashesMap,2010-2014:link

WalkScore:

• NeighborhoodWalkabilityScores:link

5. ActivePlans/Resolutions/GrantProjectsLancasterCountyActiveTransportationPlan:

• PhaseIIPlan:link• Map:link

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• CurrentlynotmeetingtheLancasterATPbikeplanmileagetargets,cityfocusandmayoralsupportisessentialtoprogress

CompleteStreetsResolution:

• AdoptedinCouncilMay2014,link• Requiresallnewstreetconstructiontoincludesafezonesforallactivetransportation• Nationalpolicypackageislackinginnovativeandequitableapproachestotoday’smultimodalchallenges

MulberryStreet:

Figure1:MulberryStreetBikeLaneProject

• Incorporatesdesignatedbikelaneandsharrows,agoodstartthatneedstobeexpandedinallcity’squadrants• Residentsreportedconcernsof(a)thelackofeducationalawarenessofthisproject,(b)driverssittinginthebike

lane,requiringunsafeswerving,and(c)overalllackofsupportfromcurrentmayoraladministrationtoremedytheseconcerns

6. InactiveBikingInfrastructurePlans(1) ChestnutStreetBikeway:• CityofLancasterWebpage:link• CityofLancasterPDF:link• LNPArticle:link

Figure2:WChestnutSt.BikewayPilotProject

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Figure3:WChestnutSt.BikewayPilotProject

(2) PrinceStreetGrant• Toincludesharrowsandstrippedbikelines(inexpensivetoimplement)• Grantisunused

7. Glows/GrowsofCurrentActiveTransportationinCityofLancaster

BIKING

Glows

(examplesofprogress)

Grows

(roomforinnovation)

(1)Engineering:

- Bikelanesand/orsharrowsexistonafewstreetsinNorthwestquadrant(MulberryandW.Liberty)

- Bikeracksexistatafewlocalbusinessesandtrainstation

- Proposedbike-shareprogramwithZagster.comwith6localsponsorsforstationsandQuick-BikePrograminLCPCplan,howeverjustforgov’temployees

(2)Education:

- CityofLancasterwebpageinformspublicabouttheW.ChestnutPilotProject(notyetimplemented)

- LancasterAllianceheldmeetingforneighbors- SRTCProgramisbeingplannedforafewpilot

schools,inconjunctionwithCommonWheel

(3)Encouragement:

- Localnon-profitinitiativessuchasCommonWheelandSlowRidehelpsupportlocalcyclists

(1)Engineering:

- BikinginfrastructureonlyexistsinNWneighborhoods(withablockjustSouthofKingonMulberrySt.)-focusneedstobeonequitableinvestmentandconnectivitytobusstationsandeducationalentities

- Bikeracksarenon-existentinmanylocationsthroughoutthecity,causingcycliststostruggletoparktheirvehiclessafely(ex:busstations,restaurants,stores,etc.)

- Bikelanesarenotprotected(dooringisadanger)- Bike-shareprogramwasnotproposedforpublic

input,willallresidentsbeabletoparticipate?Arestationslocatedinallneighborhoods?Canthisbelinkedwithothermodesofpublictransitforefficiency?

(2)Education:

- CityofLancasterwebpageislackinginthoroughdescriptionofmeaningofsignsforbothcyclistsandmotorists(MulberrySt.projectisnotonpage)

- LeagueCyclingInstructorsareunderutilizedforeducationalpurposes

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(4)EvaluationandPlanning:

- Bronzeratedcommunity/businessaccordingtotheLeagueofAmericanBicyclists

(5)Enforcement:

- Officersonfootandhorseoccasionally- LancasterCityAllianceRed-shirtbike

ambassadors

- Motoristsareuninformedaboutvehicularcyclists- Increasededucationonoverallbenefitsofbiking- Needforcommunityoutreach/workshops

(3)Encouragement:

- Creatinganinvitingbikingculturethatissafeforallriders

- Collaboratingwithlocalbikeadvocacygroupstosupporttheneedsofrefugeesandunderservedneighborhoods

- Localon-lineandpaperbikemap/guide

(4)EvaluationandPlanning:

- CityBPACwithallwardsrepresented- CreationofBicyclingMasterPlan,basedon

communityparticipatoryprocess- IncreasingCityHallSustainabilitystaffing

(5)Enforcement:

- Officerstrainedwithstateandlocalordinances- Accompanyingcommunityslowrides

WALKING

Glows

(examplesofprogress)

Grows

(roomforinnovation)

(1) Handicapaccessibilityonsidewalksatagrowingnumberofintersectionsand“YieldTo”bollardsinafewcrosswalks

(2) Visualappealislocatedinsomeneighborhoodswherehistoriclandmarksarefeatured

(3) Walkscoreof81,accordingtohttps://www.walkscore.com/PA/Lancaster(whichincludeshighrankingneighborhoodssuchasChestnutHill(92),BusinessDistrict(98),MusserPark(95),andMussertown(91))

(1) Manysidewalkslackthesafetyforwheelchairboundcitizensandstrollers(buckled,cracked,etc.)

(2) Adistincturbantrailmapthatguidesthroughoutallneighborhoodsofthecity(seeFigurebelowforvisual)

(3) SupportinglowerscoringneighborhoodssuchasProspectHeights(60),ConestogaHeights(59),CollegePark(76),andStevens(79)

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VisualExamplesofListed“Grows”:

Figure4:BenefitsofBiking,link Figure5:MinneapolisBPAC-ALLWardsRepresented,link

Figure6:AshevilleNCUrbanTrailMap,link

FUNDINGExcerptfromLeagueofAmericanCyclists,RecommendationReporttoLancaster,PA:

“COSTS:Buildinganewroadwayformotorvehiclescancostmillionsofdollarstoconstruct,andmanyofthepedestrianandbicycleinfrastructurefacilitiesareextremelylow-costincomparison.Usethisdatabasetoreviewup-to-dateestimatesofinfrastructurecostsofpedestrianandbicycletreatmentsfromstatesandcitiesacrossthecountry.

FEDERALFUNDING:Since1992bicycleandpedestrianprojectshavebeeneligibleforfederaltransportationfunding.Tolearnmoreaboutwhatfederalfundsareavailableforbicycleprojects,useAdvocacyAdvance’sinteractiveFindit,Fundittooltosearchforeligiblefundingprogramsbybike/pedprojecttypeorreviewthesameinformationasaPDF.

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STATEFUNDING:Bikingandwalkingdollarsaren'tonlyavailablefromthefederalgovernment.Statescanalsohavetheirownrevenuesourcesthatcanbeusedtofundactivetransportation.Usethisreportandanonlinetooltoexploreyourstate’sfundingsourcesforbicycleandpedestrianimprovements.

LOCALFUNDING:Localgovernmentscanalsocreatetheirownrevenuestreamstoimproveconditionsforbicyclingandwalking.Threecommonapproachesinclude:specialbondissues,dedicationsofaportionoflocalsalestaxesoravoter-approvedsalestaxincrease,anduseoftheannualcapitalimprovementbudgetsofPublicWorksand/orParksagencies.Bicyclefacilityimprovementscanalsobetaggedontolargerprojectstocreateeconomiesofscalethatresultsinreducedcostsandreducedimpactstotraffic,businesses,andresidents.Forexample,ifthereisanexistingroadproject,itisusuallycheapertoaddbikelanesandsidewalkstotheprojectthantoconstructthemseparately.Tolearnmoreaboutpublicfundingofbicycleinfrastructureimprovements,visitwww.pedbikeinfo.org/planning/funding_government.cfm”.Resource:link

LancasterCountyPlanningCommission:

• FundingProgramsforSmartGrowthTransportation&TransportationAlternatives:link

EXISTINGCITYOFLANCASTERACTIVETRANSPORTATIONRESOURCES

Name Website

LancasterCountyPlanningCommission PhaseIIPlan:http://www.lancastercountyplanning.org/DocumentCenter/View/99

Map:http://www.lancastercountyplanning.org/DocumentCenter/View/92

LightenUpLancaster http://www.lightenuplancaster.org/In-The-Community/Active-Transportation.aspx

CommonWheel http://thecommonwheel.com/

LancasterBikes! https://www.facebook.com/LancasterBikes/

SlowRide https://www.facebook.com/groups/645618208902755/

CitizensforaBicycleFriendlyLancasterCity https://www.facebook.com/bikefriendlylanc/

LeagueofAmericanBicyclists http://bikeleague.org/bfa/awards#community

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CITYMODELS

Website

Pittsburgh,PA(bronzerated) LocalBikeMap:http://www.bikepgh.org/resources/maps-guides-more/map-routes/

Asheville,NC(bronzerated) UrbanTrailSystem:https://www.romanticasheville.com/urban_trail.htm

Milwaukee,WI(bronzerated) PublicWorksBikingPage:http://city.milwaukee.gov/MilwaukeebyBike#.WOWIWG8rLIV

(copyandpastelink)

Minneapolis,MN(goldrated) PublicWorksBikingPage:

http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles/

Portland,OR(platinumrated) CityofPortlandTransitPage:https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/34772

CultureMagazine

TopBikingCitiesof2016:

http://www.bicycling.com/culture/news/the-50-best-bike-cities-of-2016

LeagueofAmericanBicyclists NationsTopScoringBicyclingCommunities:http://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFC_Master_Fall_2016.pdf

ADDITIONALRESOURCES:

LeagueofAmericanCyclists:http://bikeleague.org/community

CNT:http://www.cnt.org/transportation-and-community-development

LeagueofAmericanCyclistsandSierraClub,TheNewMajorityisPedalingTowardsEquity:http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs173/1102316596448/archive/1113593029110.html

CityLab,HowIncome-IncomeCommutersViewCycling:https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2014/07/how-low-income-commuters-view-cycling/374390/

TheseGuys,AdvocatingforBetterCycling:http://theseguysbike.com/you-say-you-want-a-revolution-pardon-me-beatles/

NationalAssociationofCityTransportationOfficials(NACTO):http://nacto.org/publication/urban-bikeway-design-guide/

Yes!Magazine,WhyBicycleJusticeIsn’taWhiteGuyinSpandex:http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/why-bicycle-justice-isnt-a-white-guy-in-spandex-20160810

BicyclingRenaissanceinNorthAmerica?:http://www.utrc2.org/sites/default/files/pubs/bike-renaissance-journal_0.pdf