session 3: separated bikeways

SEPARATED BIKEWAYS

PROWALK-BIKE 2010Chattanooga, Tennessee

Brooke DuBose – Fehr & PeersMike Sallaberry – SFMTA

Agenda

1. Overview of Separated Bikeways2. ITE Ped/Bike Council Research

• Opportunities & Issues

3. Why consider them? • When and how to use them

4. Concerns, and how to design for them

Separated Bikeways

Dunsmuir Cycle Track, Vancouver BCPhoto Credit: AverageJoeCyclist.com

One-Way Separated Bikeways

Vancouver, BC

New York City

Cambridge, MA

Two-Way Separated Bikeways

New York, NY Montreal, QC

Facility Elements

Segment

Lane Width

Buffer Width & Type

One-way or two-way lane

Driveways

Visibility

Slowing Vehicle Speed

Auto Access

Intersections

Visibility

Slowing Vehicle Speed

Turning Movements

Agenda

1. Overview of Separated Bikeways2. ITE Ped/Bike Council Research

• Opportunities & Issues

3. Why consider them? • When and how to use them

4. Concerns, and how to design for them

ITE Informational ReportFindings on the current state of practice for installing separated bikeways in North America

PURPOSE

1. Summarize existing research and design guidance

2. Identify locations & design attributes of facilities already constructed in U.S. & Canada

3. Demonstrate the need for additional research on safety, latent demand, and design guidelines

Fast & Fearless - 1%>

Enthused & Confident – 7%

Interested but Concerned – 60% No Way, No How – 33%

Bicycle Planning Trends: Roger Geller’s Four Types of Bicyclists

Potential Latent Demand

Fast & Fearless

Enthused & Confident

Interested but Concerned

Fast & Fearless - 1%>

Enthused & Confident – 7%

Interested but Concerned – 60% No Way, No How – 33%

Moral of the Story: We have spent much of our time planning for 7-8% of riders

Scoreboard, Baby!

Bicycle Counter, CopenhagenPhoto Credit: Momentum

Initial Survey ResultsWhat is your opinion on separated bikeways?

0

50

100

150

200

250Preferable to on-roadfacilities and shouldbe installed wherepossibleAppropriate only inlimited circumstances

Never appropriate

43%

55%

2%

How important a role do you think separated bikeways have or could have in making cycling more mainstream and popular?

0

50

100

150

200

250

Critical

Important

Neutral

Not Important

Detrimental

24%

50%

19%

4% 3%

Initial Survey Results

Should separated bikeways be included in design manuals in the US and Canada?

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Yes

Yes, withproper criteriaMaybe

Probably not

Absolutely not

21%

65%

10%

3% 1%

Initial Survey Results

• List of nine problems with separation focuses on two-way shared use paths

• Discusses three types of path-roadway intersections: Midblock, Adjacent, and Complex

• Provides limited design guidance

• Does not prohibit separated bikeways

Design Guidance

Geographic Location of Separated Bikeways

Total Coverage:• 45 states• 5 provinces

Highest Coverage(# cities):

• California – 37• Florida – 13• Washington – 13• Ontario – 10

Cities Are Already Experimenting…

HIGHLIGHTED LOCATIONS

• SW Broadway, Portland, OR• 15th St, NW, Washington DC• Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA• Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA• 8th Avenue, (Manhattan) New York City, NY• 9th Avenue, (Manhattan) New York City, NY• Broadway, (Manhattan) New York City, NY• Allen Street/Pike Street, (Manhattan) New York City,

NY• Grand Street, (Manhattan) New York City, NY• Kent Avenue, (Brooklyn) New York City NY• Sands Street, (Brooklyn) New York City NY

ITE Informational Report

Agenda

1. Overview of Separated Bikeways2. ITE Ped/Bike Council Research

• Opportunities & Issues

3. Why consider them? • When and how to use them

4. Concerns, and how to design for them

Why: Prevention of Poor Design

Why: Roadway Obstructionsin Urban Areas

New York City

Why: Continuity of Pathway Experience

Vancouver, BC

Cyclist Comfort onBusy Roadways

FromLondon Cycling Design

Standards

Cyclist Comfort onBusy Roadways

State of Cycling Report, SFTop two barriers to cycling:- Not enough bike lanes- Not comfortable riding with

cars

Agenda

1. Overview of Separated Bikeways2. ITE Ped/Bike Council Research3. Issues & Opportunities4. Why consider them?

When and how to use them

5. Concerns’ and how to design for them

Unexpected Movements

Bi-directional paths can create unexpected movements at intersections and driveways

Consider using single direction paths where there are many driveways and intersections

Turn Conflicts/Intersections

- Bring cyclists down to roadway level- Improve sightlines- Signalize- Slow turning drivers- Add high visibility markings

Left Turns

Maintenance:Sweeping and Snow

- Make path wide enough for street sweeper/plows- Buy smaller street sweepers/plows

Conflicts with Pedestrians

Ped demand very high, need for better lane placement and separation

Appropriate widths, good separation

Potential for Blockages andReduced Room for Passing

Rolled curbs aid passing/leaving path

Minimum 6.5’ (~2.0m) width to allow for side by side riding and passing

Additional Tool for Practitioners

Ultimate Goal?Positive Feedback Cycle

MORE CYCLISTS

More demand(for bicycle accommodation)

More accommodation

More awareness of cyclists

More safety

Thank you for attending!

Mike Sallaberry, PESan Francisco MTAProject Development and Implementationmike.sallaberry@sfmta.com

Brooke DuBoseFehr & PeersTransportation Planner b.dubose@fehrandpeers.com