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

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

Infrastructure: On-Road Facilities

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)

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.

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.

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

“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

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

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

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

NE GA Case Study: Drainage Grates Covington, GA Floyd St. 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

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

Infrastructure: Off-Road Facilities

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.

Infrastructure: General/Other

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

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

Wayfinding Signage 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

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

NE GA Case Study: Art Bike Racks Athens-Clarke Co. The Classic Center 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

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+

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

Planning, Programs, and Policies

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

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

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

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

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

Questions? John Devine, AICP – Senior Planner, Northeast Georgia Regional Commission –