Planning Horizons May is Bike Month

(May 2012)

Penny Gray, Program ManagerBicycle Facilities Unit

(916) 653-2750Penny.Gray@dot.ca.gov

Deborah Lynch, BTA Program CoordinatorBicycle Facilities Unit

(916) 653-0036Deborah.Lynch@dot.ca.gov

AgendaHistory of Bicycle Facilities UnitWhat do we do?Benefits of Bicycling (Environmental, Economic

and Personal/Physical)Safety StatisticsSafety Measures – What Can You DoSafety Measures – What are federal, state, and

local agencies doing?Education Programs/OpportunitiesExpectations

History of Bicycle Facilities UnitBicycle Recreation & Safety Act of 1971Creation of Bicycle Program, AB 69, 1972

3 staffBicycle Lane Account $360,000Staff increased to approx. 20 by 1982

Disbanded in 1983Re-established in 1990SAFETEA-LU Strengthened Bike/Ped

Program

Current Staffing

Bicycle Facilities Unit - Local AssistanceSenior TP, Associate TP

Headquarters Design & Traffic Ops.One py each

Caltrans DistrictsCoordinators in Districts 4, 7, and 11; all districts have at least 1 person with Bicycle Program responsibilities. (Only 1PY in D-4, .5PY in 7 & 11 funded)

Department-wide Bicycle program relies on all programs to resolve bicycle issues

Bicycle Facilities Unit – What do we do?Bicycle Program Mission – Improving Safety and

Convenience for BicyclistsDD 64-R1

The California Department of Transportation (Department) provides for the needs of travelers of all ages and abilities in all planning, programming, design, construction, operations, and maintenance activities and products on the state highway system. The Department views all transportation improvements as opportunities to improve safety, access, and mobility for all travelers in California and recognizes bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes as integral elements of the State highway system.

Current IssuesBicycles on toll bridges/freeways.Bike/Ped impacts of freeway interchanges. Livable communities/flexible design standards to accommodate

bikes/peds.Rumble Strips – especially shoulderSingle-point interchanges. Traffic calming.Intermodal ConnectionsBicycle Facility Designs not currently in HDMBikes Yield at Stop Signs3 feet passing lawBicycle Support Facilities (bike racks, showers, lockers)

Bicycle Program ActivitiesAdminister funding programs such as BTA.California Bicycle Advisory Committee Bicycle Facility Planning & Design.Committees on bike/ped safety.Bike legislation/policy development/reportsCaltrans web page.Review Manuals, Guidelines, ProceduresAct as Department’s bicycle advocate. Strategic Highway Safety PlanComplete Streets Implementation Action Plan, Active

Transportation and Community Living Develop and Maintain Partnerships

Bicycle Transportation AccountBicycle Transportation Account

Annual program Provides state funds for city and county

projects that improve safety and convenience for bicycle commuters.

Now funded at $7.2MFunds approximately 20-30 projects/year

Benefits of BicyclingBicycle Commuting is an underused method of

commuting.About 40 percent of all trips are shorter than 2

miles.Bicycling is an affordable form of

transportation.Bicycling can help reduce roadway congestion.Bicycling can help reduce pollutionApprox. 10-12 bikes can be parked in 1 parking

space.

Bicycle Commuter StatsPer 2009 American Community Survey

Commuter Statistics:San Francisco ranked #12 of 244 communities

with populations > 65,000 for Bicycle Commuters (Ranked Gold for Bicycle Commuting) 3.0% bicycle commuters, estimated to be 13,025

Sacramento ranks #38 of 244 (Ranked Bronze) 2.10% bicycle commuters, estimated to be 4,090

Health Benefits of BicyclingProvides exercise (burns more calories than

driving)Improves Cardiovascular healthCan provide “mental health” breaks, arrive at

home or work more relaxed, less stressedAllows you to incorporate your workout in your

daily scheduleMore pleasant than riding transit or drivingCommuting under your own power gives you a

sense of accomplishmentSet an example for your children

Calories Burned While CyclingActivity (1 Hour) 130 lb 155 lb 180 lb 205 lb

Cycling, mountain bike, bmx

502 598 695 791

Cycling <10 mph, leisure

236 281 327 372

Cycling> 20 mph, racing

944 1126 1308 1489

Cycling, 10-11.9 mph, light

354 422 490 558

Cycling 12-13.9 mph, moderate

472 563 654 745

Cycling, 14-15.9 mph, vigorous

590 704 817 931

Stationary cycling, very light

177 211 245 279

Stationary cycling, moderate

413 493 572 651

Calories BurnedFormula for calculating calories burned for any

activity (from Journal of Sports Sciences:

Calories Burned for Men: ((Age x 0.2107) – (Weight x 0.09036) + (Heart Rate x 0.6309) – 55.0969) x Time/4.184.

  Calories Burned for Women: ((Age x 0.074) – (Weight x

0.05741) + (Heart Rate x 0.4472) – 20.4022) X Time/4.184 

Example: 32 year old, male, weight 173 pounds, 37 minutes of exercise, heart rate of 133 bpm

 ((32 x 0.2017) – (173 x 0.09036) _ (133 x 0.6309) – 55.0969) x 37 / 4.184 = 174 calories

What About Safety?

The all-time biggest question about bike commuting...

“Isn’t it dangerous?” “What about all those cars?”

“You’d have to be crazy to ride a bike out there!”

“I’m afraid of traffic!”

Bicycling Fatality and Injury StatisticsHow Safe is Bicycling?

630 “pedalcyclist” deaths in US in 2009 accounting for 2% of all traffic fatalities109 in California in 2009 (17%)

51,000 pedalcyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2009, 8,000 were age 14 & younger11,993 in California in 2009 (24%)

Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino have most bicyclist fatalities

How Safe is Bicycling in California?

Less than 30% of bicycling fatalities can be attributed to motor vehicle vs. bicycle.Most are single bicycle accidents

Between 2006-2008, the 5 highest primary collision factors for bicycle fatalities were:Wrong side of the roadImproper turningDriving or bicycling under the influenceTraffic signals and signsAutomobile right of way

What can you do to make bicycling safer?Safety Equipment

Helmet (approved by CPSC)GlovesLights/reflectorsMirrorBell/HornReflective tape, clothingGlasses

What can you do to make bicycling saferSafety Equipment/Checks for the Bicycle

ABC Quick Check before every ride Air Brakes Chain, Cranks, Cassette Quick Releases

Map your Route – know where you are going and how to get there

Make sure you carry plenty of water, spare tube or patch kits, tire pump

What Every Bicyclist Should DoFollow the Law – that means stop for all stop

signs and red lights, ride with trafficBe predictable – make your intentions clear

to motorists and other road usersBe conspicuous – ride where you can be seenThink ahead – anticipate what drivers,

pedestrians, (and squirrels) will do nextRide Ready – ABC Quick CheckKeep your CoolBe a “Roll” model

What are Federal, State, and Local Agencies Doing to Improve Bicycling SafetyFHWA

Strategic Highway Safety Plan Challenge Area 13 – Improve Bicycle Safety

Issues guidance Responsible for overseeing requirements in

legislation are understood and met by the States and other implementing agencies. Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center http

://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/mutcd_bike.htm

What are Federal, State, and Local Agencies Doing to Improve Bicycling SafetyCaltrans

Understanding Bicycle Transportation (course for districts and HQ Engineers, Project Development, Planning, and local agencies)

Division of Design – Geometric Design Standards, HDM

Division of Local Assistance (Bicycle Facilities Unit)District Bike/Ped CoordinatorsBTA ProgramMay is Bike MonthOther Committees/Task Forces/Advisory Groups

What are Federal, State, and Local Agencies Doing to Improve Bicycling SafetyLocal Agencies

Proposing/Testing Designs not currently in HDM

Road DietsSharrowsGreen coloring in bike lanesBike BoulevardsContra flow bike lanesSeparated bike laneshttp://nacto.org/cities-for-cycling/design-guide/

Educational OpportunitiesLeague of American Bicyclists

http://www.bikeleague.org/Provide classes in cycling skills, rules of the

roadPromote bicycling for fun, fitness and

transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America

California Bicycle Coalitionhttp://www.calbike.org/about.htmEducation and lobbying

Safe Routes to School

Educational OpportunitiesLocal Bicycle ClubsDepartments of TransportationDepartments of Public HealthDepartment of Education

Public and private schoolsDrivers Training ClassesDMVLaw EnforcementLocal Transportation Management AssociationsMetropolitan Planning Organizations/Regional

Transportation Planning AgenciesParent Teacher Organizations

What Do We Expect From You?As an employee - Recognize bicycling as a valid

form of transportation.

As a commuter, consider bicycling, even if it is for a portion of your trip.

As a recreational rider/tourist – be safe, obey the laws, be prepared.

And remember – bicycling can be fun! You’re never too old to start.

It’s Never to Late to Start

“Bike Pool”

Questions?Thank you for coming

Videoshttp://www.walkinginfo.org/videos/pubdetail.c

fm?picid=13http://www.vehicularcyclist.com/vcvideo.html