The Bicycling Report Card

Transcription

1 The Bicycling Report Card

2 Table of Contents Overview Highlights Shortfalls Vision, Mission, and Goals Education Encouragement Enforcement Engineering Evaluation Conclusion

3 Overview Since implementing Louisville s 2010 Bike Master Plan, Louisville has become more bicyclefriendly, but there s a long road ahead. Louisville has excelled with its bicycle and motorist sharing the road education and enforcement efforts, but still is struggling to add on-road bike facilities. Adding safe bicycle facilities will increase the number of bicyclists riding for transportation and recreation and decrease the number of bicycle crashes. Highlights Off road facilities including a world-class Cyclocross Park. Market street road diet with bike lanes Bike to Work Day with the Mayor Bike Sense/Cops for Kids Motorist sharing the road messages After Bike Louisville submitted a Bicycle Friendly application to the League of American Bicyclists (LAB); the League sent a number of recommendations back. Below are a list of LAB recommendations, and how Louisville has addressed each one over the past year. Each recommendation has been graded with an A, B or C. A s represent the recommendation has been accomplished, B s represent progress has been made and C s represent a need for improvement. Shortfalls Decreasing the number of bicycle crashes and fatalities Increasing the number of people bicycling to work and other utilitarian trips Maintaining our bike facilities Vision, Mission, and Goals Vision and Goals Vision: As it becomes a healthier and more livable bicycle-friendly community, one with a dynamic economy and diverse transportation system, Louisville will reclaim its heritage as a center for bicycling. ~ Mayor Jerry E. Abramson A vision statement creates a visual image in the reader's mind of what Louisville Metro intends to become Mission: To serve as the liaison between Louisville Metro Government and the Greater Louisville community through education, encouragement, enforcement, engineering and evaluation efforts that will allow Louisville to reclaim its heritage as a center for bicycling. A mission statement links the vision to the goals

4 Goals: 1. To increase bicycling activity throughout all parts of Louisville by making it a fun, comfortable and accessible mode of travel between 2010 and 2030; 2. To simultaneously reduce the number of cyclists killed and injured in crashes with motor vehicles. Goals outline the steps Louisville will take in several areas to achieve the Vision After a year of implementing the Bike Master Plan, we want your input on what kind of grades you think each of the 5 E efforts should receive. Grades are based on how well Louisville has met the League of American Bicyclist (LAB) recommendations. Please place a letter grade next to each of the Red Arrows. Grading scale A= Good to excellent (Meets or exceeds the LAB recommendation) B= Average (in progress or approaches the LAB recommendation) C= Below average or failing (did not meet the LAB recommendation) Education 1. Continue to expand public education campaigns to promote the share the road message and the rights and responsibilities of all users. There are some new tools for you to use. See a new motorist education video at It is vital to make motorists and cyclists aware of their rights and responsibilities on the road. Also, use the valuable information from the League s Ride Better Tips in your outreach education and encouragement efforts. See the Ride Better Tips pages at Start a motorist education programs for bus and taxi drivers in the city. See what San Francisco has done Also, use the materials listed above for this purpose in addition to classes that can be offered by League cycling Instructors. Bike Louisville co-branded a video, narrated by Robbie Ventura, a teammate of Lance Armstrong on the former U.S. Postal Service Team, presenting the do s and don ts for new drivers when they encounter bicyclists on the road. Currently Dr. Terry Kline from the Eastern Kentucky University Traffic Safety Institute has agreed to show the video to an annual 16,000 motorist who attend traffic school in Kentucky each year. 2 Continue to improve bicycling education opportunities for children and adults. BikeEd can be integrated into motor vehicle violation diversion programs, Safe Routes to School, as well as motorist education classes for city employees.

5 Transit Authority of River City (TARC) continues to show a video for TARC bus driver about sharing the road with all road users. All TARC bus drivers are required to watch the video as part of their TARC bus training. Using the League of American Bicyclist s best practices, Bike Louisville continues to use a "rules of the road" handout tailored to Louisville taxi drivers. This handout will provide the top 10 topics taxi drivers need to know when driving while cyclists are on the roads. This handout has been handed out where taxi drivers renew their license. Using League of American Bicyclists best practices, Bike Louisville has created a six foot pull-up banner which illustrates sharing the road educational material. Kentucky State Police s Driver Testing-Bureau and the Jefferson County Clerk s Office have agreed to display the sharing the road banners, where an annual number of 46,000 new and renewing motorists can view the rules of the road. Bicycling for Louisville and the Louisville Bicycle Club have a number of league certified instructors who have offered adult bicycle education classes. During 2011 over 50 people completed the League of American Bicyclists Road 101 Class. Bike Louisville continues using the League of American Bicyclist s sharing the road best practices; Bike Louisville has helped create a Metro employee motorist education class. 3. Continue to expand Safe Routes to School programs that include bicycling and encourage all schools to get involved. Consider targeting expansion of in school education programs until all 152 schools are involved. In Arlington, Virginia every school in the County was visited by a team with representatives from Department of Public Works, the Police and Schools to access conditions for walking and biking to each school. A list of problems and solutions was developed measures were identified to address problems. Short-term projects such as painting crosswalks were done right away while larger construction projects are on-going. Funding is available in the federal transportation bill, SAFETEA LU, among several other sources at both the federal and state levels. See for more information. Based on public input from Louisville s Bike Summit and Metro Council Public Bike Master Plan Forums, the public desired an increase in youth bicycle education and enforcement. Therefore, Bike Louisville used a three prong approach to create a bicycle

6 education and enforcement program. First, was to gain support and buy in from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) by piloting Bike Sense. Second, was to expand the program to the municipal summer camp program. Third, was to integrate a youth bicycle enforcement aspect with Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Officers. Bike Sense has gained JCPS support by offering a certification that teachers can earn during the mandatory Professional Development. Bike Sense is expanding to 7% and 15% of JCPS schools this fall and next spring, respectively. Moreover, Bike Sense has been expanded into municipal camps with plans to reach all summer camps during The summer Bike Sense program has engaged peer youth to help customize and implement the Bike Sense curriculum as a summer job. Because we know education and encouragement are not enough, Bike Louisville has created its first LMPD Youth Bicycle Patrol Program. The idea for Bike Sense started and ended with the community. The process involved a systematic policy change which involved multiple departments and organizations. Bike Sense has become a scalable model which has integrated Bike Sense into underserved population for public schools and municipal summer camps. The greatest result has been to witness a child who comes from an underserved population and is overweight, unmotivated with low self esteem learning to ride a bicycle for the first time. It is during that moment you can see their emotions change about their ability to become healthier, motivated and an increase in self esteem. These are the stories which convinced policy makers at JCPS, Metro Parks and LMPD to expand the Bike Sense program. Currently Louisville has only successfully completed one SRTS application while several other applications have been awarded and have yet to be completed. Moreover, during the school year Jefferson County Public Schools suffered a higher number of pedestrian collisions and more than one fatality. It is through the SRTS applications that both infrastructure and non infrastructure projects can be complete to create safe school environments as well as the safety knowledge students need to walk or bicycle safely to school. Safety is the number one concern when encouraging children to walk or bike to school. Currently Louisville is working on two SRTS applications. Meyzeek middle school and Portland elementary school are set to be complete by the fall of Meyzeek is implementing a road diet project and educational component and Portland is

7 improving its sidewalk connectivity. Encouragement 4. Encourage local businesses to promote cycling to the workplace. During Bike to Work Week set up a commuter challenge or bike to work pit stop. Set target goals for participation with annual increases. Aim high-750 registered participants in 2009, 1,250 in For more information on encouragement ideas please visit Louisville should hold the premier event for Kentucky s 2nd Sunday encouragement efforts. The city s event should rival if not surpass Ciclovia efforts in Portland, OR, Chicago, IL and New York City, in an effort to put Louisville on the map of great cycling cities. Bike Louisville has started to encourage local business to promote cycling to the workplace through its Bike to Work Month, Week and Day and Fall Bike to Work Day. During these events Bike Louisville has partnered with the Louisville Bicycle Club and Bicycling for Louisville to provide a commuter challenge and four meet and ride locations for first time bike commuters. Meet and ride stops have basic bicycle maintenance, free helmets, leg straps, custom Street Sense water bottles, reflective sling bags, coffee, and breakfast bars. During the lunch hour Bike Louisville and National Public Radio host a lunch time bike celebration with venders, give-a-ways, and speeches by Politian s including the Mayor who rode his bike to work this year. 5. Louisville should hold the premier event for Kentucky s 2 nd Sunday encourage efforts. The city s event should rival if not surpass Ciclovia efforts in Portland, Or, Chicago, IL and New York City, in an effort to put Louisville on the map of great cycling cities. Louisville has hosted Kentucky s premier Ciclovia event which attract over 8,000 participants for both Memorial Day and Labor Day. Other events include: Thunder Over Louisville Valet Bicycle Parking, Ride to Cure, Ride to Conquer Cancer, MS150, Frankfort Two Wheel Tuesdays, Bike to Work Day, USA Cycling Masters Nationals, US Grand Prix, and Shawnee bike race. Bike Louisville will continue to partner with other community events and festivals to incorporate bikes and pedestrians

8 6. Work to create more active involvement of bicycle community. Consider a Bicycle Ambassador program like Chicago s. This could be based out of a Transit or Recreation Center. The Louisville Downtown Management District (LDMD) Ambassadors, clad in bright safety yellow shirts, continue to provide hospitality service to residents, visitors, and employees in the Downtown District. Team members offer pedestrians a greeting and assistance when encountering those who may need help. All team members carry downtown visitor maps to give to people on the streets. Other Assistance include aiding pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists when they need any type of assistance like flat tires, dead batteries, EMS services, etc. 7. Consider passing an ordinance or local code that would require larger employers to provide bicycle parking, shower facilities, and other encouragement tools. The city could be the model employer for the rest of the community. Louisville has passed an ordinance that would require development to provide bicycle parking. Bicycle parking may substitute for up to five (5) percent of required parking spaces (as required by Table 9.1.2) in accordance with the following calculation method. For every five (5) non-required bicycle parking spaces (non-required spaces are those bicycle spaces provided in excess of those required by Table 9.2.1) that meet the short or long-term bicycle parking standards, the motor vehicle parking minimum requirement shall be reduced by one space. Existing parking may be converted to take advantage of this provision. 8. Develop a series of short (2-5 mi.) loops rides around the community and provide appropriate way-finding signage. Integrate these rides into local bike map and the 100-mile loop. Louisville has recently completed its first printed bicycle map which not only shows safe streets to ride on but also bicycle racks and 2-5mile loop rides around the community. Set up community celebrations and/or rides each time the community completes a new bicycling related project. This is a great way to show off the city s good efforts and introduces new users to the improvement. Louisville has recently completed its first major road diet project which incorporates 6 bike lanes. Bike Louisville is currently partnering with the Louisville Bicycle Club and Bicycling for Louisville to find ways to promote this new bicycle facility.

9 Enforcement 9. Make stronger connections between bicycling community and law enforcement. Make finding a replacement liaison a priority. Ensure that police officers are aware of the Share the Road message and have general knowledge regarding traffic law as it applies to bicyclists. The city should consider hosting an Enforcement for Bicycle Safety seminar. This is a great continuing education opportunity for law enforcement. Bike Louisville has found an excellent Police liaison who attends Bike Louisville meeting and response quickly to questions and requests. Currently all Louisville Metro Police Officers are provided educational material about how the rules of the road apply to bicyclists and other road users. 10. Continue to encourage police officers to use targeted enforcement to encourage motorists and cyclists to share the road. This could be in the form of a brochure or tip card explaining each user s rights and responsibilities. LMPD has implemented a sharing the road campaign which encourages motorists and cyclists to share the road. LMPD has created a short sharing the road video hosting by the Chief of Police and a yellow tip card which is handed out as part of the LMPD sharing the road campaign. 11. See the video put out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 0dba046a0/ Here are some Law Enforcement Products Law Enforcement's Roll Call Video: Enforcing Law for Bicyclists Enhancing Bicycle Safety: Law Enforcement s Role (CD-ROM Training): Several LMPD officers have become bicycle certified which lead to an LMPD bicycle division.

10 Engineering 12. Continue to implement the comprehensive bike plan and continue to close gaps in the cycling network. Reviewers emphasized the need to address the connectivity of the network. Also, set an ambitious, attainable target to increase the percentage of trips made by bike in the city Goldsmith Ln. 0.5 two-way West Market St. 1.3 two-way

11 13. Continue to increase the number of arterial streets that have wide shoulder or bike lanes. Since 2010 Bike Louisville has partnered with the Kentucky Transportation cabinet to add bike lanes on over 12 miles of arterial streets but Bike Louisville has not installed the signs and symbols to complete the bike lanes. Poplar Level Rd. 2.4 two-way Taylorsville Rd. 1.6 miles two-way Westport Rd.1.6 two-way Eastern Pkwy.6 miles two-way Continue to expand the bicycle network and increase network connectivity through the use of bike lanes, shared lane arrows and signed routes. The 10 miles of bike lanes and 10% of arterials with accommodations completed since the last application shows great progressconsider making this the minimum standard for annual implementation! On-street improvements coupled with the expansion of the off-street system will continue to increase use and improve safety. These improvements will also increase the effectiveness of encouragement efforts by providing a broader range of facility choices for users of various abilities and comfort levels. Thanks to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and the University of Louisville during 2010, Louisville installed over 19 miles of bicycle lanes. Unfortunately many of these bike lanes still need signage and symbols. 14. Continue to provide opportunities for ongoing training on accommodating bicyclists for engineering, planning staff, and law enforcement. Consider hosting a Smart Cycling course for city staff to better understand cyclists needs, behavior, and their right to use city streets as well as multi-use paths for transportation. This would also be a great way to make stronger connections between city staff and Louisville s League Certified Instructors (LCI s). Louisville Department of Public Works and Assets has provided a number of pedestrian related trainings for staff and community consultants, but has not provided bicycle specific training. Currently all Louisville Metro Police Officers are provided educational material about how the rules of the road apply to bicyclists and other road users.

12 15. Consider a membership to the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals for city Bicycle and Pedestrian Staff. Training opportunities and the listserv provided by this organization are excellent resources. Louisville Metro has two staff members who are now APBP members. Currently Bike Louisville has partnered with a local engineering firm which has agreed to host the 12 session APBP webinar series. Historically there has been limited attendance from Louisville Metro staff. 16. Continue to increase the amount of secure bicycle parking throughout the community in addition implement a regulation that requires bike parking. Bike Louisville installed limited bicycle parking. Prior to 2009 Bike Louisville used to be able to use federal funding for bicycle parking, but because of new federal standards it s difficult to use federal funding for bicycle parking. Other than council and private funds Bike Lousiville has no other funding source for bicycle parking. 17. Work to improve the access to public lands for mountain bicyclists as well as the connectivity of the bicycle network to these open spaces. The Kentucky Mountain Bike Association has done am amazing job in the last couple years to increase KyMBA membership and has started to develop a world class trail system including a proposed 100 mile of human powered sports trail network. Since June 2010 KyMBA Louisville has built 3+ miles of sustainable trail valued at $65,000. o 60% of the 10 miles of trails at Cherokee Park are sustainable- 100% sustainable by 2013 o 80% of the 8 miles of trails at Waverly Park are sustainable-100% sustainable by 2013 o Planned miles trails at Iroquois Park o Planned miles trails at The Parklands o TBD 30 miles of trails at Jefferson Memorial Forest Mormon Hills In addition to KyMBA s efforts Louisville has created the counties first dedicated world class Cyclocross facility which plans to host the 2012 Master Cyclocross World Championships and the 2013 Elite Cyclocross World Championships.

13 Evaluation 18. Consider conducting Louisville s own travel survey or use of trip counters along major bicycling corridors, trails and destinations. Information on counts is available through Alta Planning + Design and the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project: Also, studying or surveying cyclist behavior can help determine where and what type of new facilities should be implemented. See Jennifer Dill s study of Portland, OR here research/ On September 22, 2010, Council approved a pilot project for automated bicycle counts. This project allows data collection on a continual basis and can provide information on daily and seasonal variations. In order to monitor the City s rapid growth of bicycle usage, automated counters have effectively operated with minimal human intervention or supplemental costs. Counters are to be placed on streets or paths for 2 week periods to collect ridership data. Biweekly the counters will be moved to a new location. There are 30 weeks between April and November which the counters will be active. Therefore the Twin Counter and the Pilot Counter could be placed at a minimum of 10 different locations with the option of evaluate new facilities as they are implemented during this time period. 19. Evaluate the crash statistics to produce a specific plan to reduce the number of crashes in the community. Bike Louisville has currently mapped bicycle crash data and is looking at police report data to better determine best measures to reduce bicycle related crashes. 20. Continue to work to integrate the development of the cycling network into larger land use planning and development projects and plans. Bike Louisville has not been able to have the Bike Master Plan adopted to Metro Council or the Comprehensive Land Development Code. Currently Bike Louisville is working with Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services to have an executive summary be adopted into the Comprehensive Land Development Code and the overall Bike Master Plan adopted by Metro Council.

14 Conclusion Overall the past year Louisville has made significant progress in becoming more bike friendly community. Some of the high lights include: Bike Sense, the Cyclocross Park, sharing the road video for motorist, and the Market Street road diet with bike lanes. Unfortunately, with these recent successes still only 0.4% of Louisville residents bicycle to work or related trips, and Louisville also hasn t seen a decrease in bicycle crashes over the past year. By implementing the Bike Master Plan, Bike Louisville hopes to see an increase in number of people bicycling and a decrease in bicycle related crashes.