great streets brownbag
TRANSCRIPT
CYCLETRACKS!
Great CityJuly 22, 2010
Agenda
1. What are they?
2. Why are they controversial?
3. Why consider them?
4. How do you design one?
5. Q&A/Discussion
Safety & Mobility
Our decision to introduce these improvements along Broadway and ultimately make them permanent were inspired by two key factors: better mobility and greater safety.
‐Mayor Bloomberg
What’s This?
What’s This?
What’s This?
What’s This?
What’s This?
What’s This?
New York City9th Avenue, Manhattan
Kent Avenue, Brooklyn
New York City
Sands Street, Brooklyn
Allen Street Mall, ManhattanTillary Street, Brooklyn
Grand Street, Manhattan
Portland, OR
SW Broadway
Portland, OR
Cambridge, MA
Vassar Street – MIT Campus
Washington DC
15th Street NW - conceptual plan
Vancouver, BC
Carrall Street Greenway
Dunsmuir Street
Montreal, Quebec
Boulevard Maisonneuve
North American Cycle Tracks
Location Lane Width Direction Buffer Type
9th Ave, NYC 10’ One‐way 15’ combined raised landscaped pedestrian refuge & vehicle parking
Kent Ave, NYC 8’ (4’ each direction)
Two‐way 3’‐4’ painted buffer
Cambridge, MA N/A One‐way Raised bikeway
Washington DC 9’ (4.5’ each direction)
Two‐way 1’ raised buffer
Vancouver 6.5’ One‐way Raised bikeway
Montreal N/A Two‐way N/A
Dutch CROW Manual Standards
6.5’‐13’ depending on bike volumes
Depends on destinations & access
Minimum buffer: 1’‐3’Landscaping or parking: 7’‐8’Approaching intersection: <1’
Agenda
1. What are they?
2. Why are they controversial?
3. Why consider them?
4. How do you design one?
5. Q&A/Discussion
What’s Not to Like?
History of Danish Cycle tracks
• German highway and political influence
• Separation of bikes from traffic part of effort to invigorate German economy
• Adopted to varying degrees by occupied nations during WWII
A culture of cycling or of convenience?
Obedience & Culture
• Danish system demands compliance and obediance
• Part of Danish Psyche –Jante’s Law
Other Users
• Pedestrians
• Transit
Two Straights Make a Left…
Two Signal Cycles MINIMUM to turn left, with or without cycletracks
The Copenhagen Two‐Step
Compensating for Right Hooks
• CPH understands there is a problem
• Heavy enforcement of “Copenhagen Two‐Step”
• Technology Fixes– Advance Lights
– Stop Boxes
– Pavement Lights
Of speed and function…
How would Elmira Gulch do on the Green Wave?
Perceived Safety vs. Real
• 18% increase in bicycle injury incidents
• 22% increase in bike collisions at intersections
• 28% increase in pedinjuries at intersections
YET• 80% believe they are safer on cycletracks
Potential Operational/Safety Challenges with Separated Bikeways ‐Midblock
Pedestrian Usage
Red Light Running,
Wrong Way Riding
Limited ROW: Narrow and in Door Zone
Potential Operational/Safety Challenges with Separated Bikeways ‐ Intersection
Multiple Unexpected Conflict Points, Sightline Degradation
Agenda
1. What are they?
2. Why are they controversial?
3. Why consider them?
4. How do you design one?
5. Q&A/Discussion
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
Fast & Fearless1. Bicycling is a key part of
identity2. Interested in wide lanes,
bike‐sensitive loop detectors, driver/cyclist education
3. Strong allies for education
Enthused & Confident1. Like to “bike their
politics”2. Interested in bicycle lanes
and boulevards, bicycle culture
3. Strong allies for on‐street bikeways
Interested but Concerned1. Enjoy recreational riding
but safety fears prevent riding more often
2. Interested in cycletracks, trails, and sidepaths
3. Strong allies for off‐street bikeways
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!
Why: Roadway Obstructions in Urban Areas
On Road Bikeway Obstructions
New York City
Why: Continuity of Pathway Experience
Continuity of Pathway Experience
Vancouver, BC
Why: Bike‐Transit Integration
On‐street Bike Network
Signage & Wayfinding
Secure Bike Parking
On‐board accommodation
Last Mile –Bike Share
Why: We’re doing them alreadyGeographic Location of Separated Bikeways
Total Coverage:• 45 states• 5 provinces
Highest Coverage(# cities):
• California – 37• Florida – 13• Washington – 13• Ontario – 10
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
CriticalImportantNeutralNot ImportantDetrimental
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
Why: Prevention of Poor Design
Agenda
1. What are they?
2. Why are they controversial?
3. Why consider them?
4. How do you design one?
5. Q&A/Discussion
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
Segment Considerations
Context Transit route
Bicycle volumes
Vehicle volumes & speeds
On‐street parking
Connections to bikeway network & access to destinations
Treatm
ent Minimize
pedestrian/passenger conflicts
Lane width
Buffer type
Swap lane for parking, remove on‐street parking
One‐ or two‐way lane
Image Source: NYCDOT & Neal Patel
Two‐way Bike Lane
• Washington DC
• NYC Examples
Hudson Greenway, Manhattan
Tillary Street, Brooklyn
Kent Avenue, Brooklyn
Buffer Types
$ Striped, painted buffer
$$ Raised concrete barrier
$$$ Planted median refuge
$$$$ Stylized landscaping
Image Source: NYCDOT
Intersection Considerations
Context Controlled vs. uncontrolled intersection
Connections to bikeway network & access to destinations
On‐street parking
Visibility
Context – is this a place drivers will expect bicyclists?
Turning movements Treatm
ent Signal phasing for turning vehicles or bikes
Leading Interval
Daylighting or right‐turn pocket (remove on‐street parking)
Advanced stop line for autos
Bring bike lane towards travel lanes
Striping & signage
• Colored bike lane• Stripe lane through intersectionBike box or corral for 2‐legged crossing
Intersection Treatments
Image Source: RBA Group & NYCDOT
Intersection Considerations
Context Queuing
Controlled vs. uncontrolled intersection
Turning movements
Visibility
Context – is this a place drivers will expect bicyclists?
Treatm
ent Bike Box
Signal phasing for turning vehicles or bikes
Limit/prohibit left turns
Transition turning bikes into travel lanes
Striping & signage
• Colored bike lane• Stripe lane through intersection
Bus Stop Considerations
Context Passenger boardings &
alightings
Bus headways
Bike volumes
Treatm
ent Curbside bike lane routes
behind bus stop/island
Bike lane positioned btwnautos & bus lane
Shared bus‐bike lane w/Sharrow placement