Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan. A work plan for improving the bicycling environment

Transcription

1 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan A wrk plan fr imprving the bicycling envirnment april 2009

2 SYMONS RD Prpsed Bikeway Netwrk: Cedar Falls, IA LEGEND Lanes, Marked Shared Lanes, and Trails 2009 Frd Rd Traffic Signals Marked Shared Lanes Bike Lanes Destinatins Trails Streets.5 Mile Center St Lne Tree Rd ¹ Cedar St Lngview St Central Ave Lake St Skyview Dr Cttage Rw Rd Lark Lane Independence St Leversee Rd Lincln St Pheasant Dr Barnett Dr 1st St 4th St 8th St Franklin St 12th St State St Cllege St Walnut St Clay St Unin Rd 18th St E Seerley Waterl Rd Rainbw Dr W 27th St University Ave Hudsn Rd Jennings Dr S Main St Spruce Hills Dr Orchard Dr Green Hill Rd Rwnd St Cedar Heights Dr Viking Rd Cedar Heights Dr Main St East St W Ridgeway Ave

3 Cntents Executive Summary... 2 Intrductin... 4 Implementatin and versight bjective... 5 Netwrk bjective... 6 Near-term pririties...6 Mid-term pririties...9 Lng-term pririties Prgram bjective Educatin and enfrcement Encuragement Evaluatin and implementatin Appendices Presented by:

4 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Executive Summary The City f Cedar Falls, Iwa, has prduced the 2009 Bicycle Plan t meet tw gals: t increase bicycle use and make Cedar Falls mre bicycle friendly. The plan will guide Cedar Falls effrts t imprve the n-street cycling envirnment and develp the educatin and prgramming that will encurage bicycling thrughut the city. The plan s recmmendatins are rted in the hard wrk f the Cedar Falls Bicycle Task Frce and the results f a public input meeting invlving mre than 125. Cedar Falls residents, business wners, schl fficials, cllege students and park and city staff. While the Iwa Bicycle Calitin and the Active Transprtatin. Alliance served as cnsultants, the rutes and prgrams in this plan cme frm. the stakehlders in Cedar Falls. Bikeways The primary bjective f the bike plan is t develp. a bikeway netwrk f n-street facilities that wuld. place every Cedar Falls resident and destinatin within..5 mile f an established bikeway r multi-use trail.. T accmplish this, the bike plan primarily makes use. f three types f bikeway facilities: bike lanes, shared lane markings, and wayfinding bikeway signs. The type f bikeway recmmended fllws the characteristics. f the street. Trails are als referenced in this plan as bth destinatins and cnnecting rutes. Cmplete Streets the Cedar Falls Bard adpt a Cmplete Streets Plicy that ensures that streets are designed fr all users f. the rad (see Appendix d). Bicycle Parking Bicycle parking racks shuld be expanded thrughut the. city and n schl campuses fr shrt-term parking; facilities fr lng-term parking, such as lckers, can be. cnsidered as needed. Widespread bicycle parking perates best when cmbined with 1 ) a bicycle parking rdinance requiring a minimum installatin at new. businesses, public buildings and multi-tenant apartments; 2) a plicy t remve abandned bicycles (see Appendix B). While certain streets are marked as part f the bikeway netwrk, bicyclists needs shuld be cnsidered thrughut the planning, design, cnstructin and maintenance f all streets. The plan recmmends that 2

5 executive summary Bikeway Implementatin Recmmended bicycle facilities are priritized primarily. by cst and ease f cnstructin int shrt-term prjects (0-2 years), medium-term prjects (3-5 years), and lngterm prjects (6-10 years). Cedar Falls shuld always favr. crdinating bikeway implementatin with planned radway imprvements, utility upgrades and new develpment prjects. The respnsibility f implementatin and crdinatin shuld lie with a defined municipal staff psitin that interacts with the existing Bicycle Task Frce (which this plan recmmends maintaining). Educatin and Encuragement Prgramming Bicycle educatin, events and prmtin increase ridership n existing facilities, generate mmentum fr expanding bikeways and parking, and can grw a bikefriendly culture. This plan recmmends establishing. a Bicycling Ambassadr Prgram and participating. fully in Safe Rutes t Schl. Other recmmendatins include supplementing Cedar Falls current trails map with n-street bike rutes; an educatin campaign; enhanced traffic law enfrcement; prducing events such as Bike t Wrk, Shp by Bike and a Car-Free. Day; and implementing Bicycle Sharing Prgrams fr City emplyees, at the University f Nrthern Iwa campus, and at selected lcatins arund the city. Bike Task Frce Members Dave Wieland, City Cuncil Randy Lrenzen, City Engineering Office Brent Jhnsn, Bike Tech David Sturch, City Planning Office Frank Darrah, City Cuncil Anne Duncan, Hartman Reserve Kamyar Enshayan, City Cuncil Jn Taiber, Overman Park Neighbrhd Assciatin Rn and Mna Smith Rbert Kressig, State Representative Bb Mrgan Tm Hagarty, City Cuncil Kathy Green, University Health Services Kevin Blanshan, Iwa Nrthland Reginal Cuncil f Gvernments (INRCOG) Andrea White, INRCOG Laura Jbst, INRCOG Jack Yates, University f Nrthern Iwa (UNI) Pam Taylr, Cmmunity Main Street Kate Stainbrk, Cedar Valley/Rainbw Cyclists Jn Crews, Mayr s Office David Stakes, Cedar Falls Schl Administratin Mike McCallum, Cedar Falls Plice Dave Deibler, Cllege Hill Business Assciatin Kim Burger, Turism & Visitrs Bureau David Mesenbrink, Overman Park Neighbrhd Assciatin Pernell Cezar, Nrthern Iwa Student Gvernment Audrey Stefan, Mayr s Office Sue Hummel, Cedar Valley Cyclists and Cllege Hill Neighbrhd Assciatin Lauri and Jim Yung, Cedar Valley/Rainbw Cyclists Cnsultants Mark Wyatt, Iwa Bicycle Calitin Steve Buchtel, Active Transprtatin Alliance Katie Tully, Active Transprtatin Alliance

6 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Intrductin The City f Cedar Falls already basts accmplishments and advantages that wuld satisfy many cmmunities definitins f bicycle friendly : an impressive netwrk. f ff-street, multi-use trails cnnecting much f the city and linking t the 52-mile Cedar Valley Nature Trail; parking racks at dwntwn Cedar Falls restaurants, bars and stres; a pilt prgram f shared lane markings n select streets; a Bicycle. Task Frce that has wrked with the City fr bicycling imprvements since 2007; and the University f Nrthern Iwa campus, which prvides a natural bicycling base. In 2008, Cedar Falls received the League f American Bicyclists hnrable mentin fr a bicycle-friendly cmmunity. Cedar Falls recgnizes a tremendus pprtunity t integrate active living, sustainable transprtatin, and healthful recreatin int everyday life by transfrming its streets and expanding its effrts t create a safe and accessible cycling envirnment. The Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan will guide the City s effrts t: Increase bicycle use Make bicycling an easy and fun transprtatin chice Expand the netwrk f bikeways beynd the multi-use trail system Create a safe and inviting envirnment Better utilize its trail system fr transprtatin Psitin the city as a quality f life center and active turism destinatin Cedar Falls hired the Iwa Bicycle Calitin and the Chicag-based Active Transprtatin Alliance as cnsultants t prduce this plan. T develp the recmmended netwrk f rutes and prgrams, these rganizatins turned t the residents f Cedar Falls. Mre than 125 residents ffered their expertise n cycling rutes in Cedar Falls at a bike plan pen huse n September 16, 2008, at Lincln Elementary Schl, and prvided feedback n the draft f the recmmended bikeway netwrk n March 24, 2008, at Peet Junir High Schl. The hard wrk f the established Cedar Falls Bicycle Task Frce, selected frm City departments and varius stakehlders, prvided invaluable guidance and versight fr the plan s develpment (a list f Task Frce members can be fund in the Executive Summary n page 3). Many Midwestern twns are struggling t identify the cre assets f their cmmunities in rder t chart a curse fr develpment that will increase ecnmic viability, envirnmental stewardship and quality f life. Cedar Falls effrts t extend the cycling experience f its enviable trail system t streets thrughut the city will help the cmmunity meet these challenges head-n. 4

7 Implementatin & Oversite Objective Implementatin & Oversite Objective: Maintain the Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee and create a Bicycle Crdinatr psitin Descriptin: The Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan must be cnsidered an actinable wrk plan in rder t raise. the levels f bicycling and reduce bicycle crashes. in the city. A Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee and a designated Bicycle Crdinatr will wrk t ensure the implementatin f the bike plan and the attentin. t bicycling cncerns and needs. Objective 1: The City Cuncil directs the Cedar Falls Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee t cntinue its wrk verseeing the implementatin f the Bike Plan.. The grup meets quarterly t review plan prgress. and catalyze next steps and implementatin, and. takes an active rle in implementing the safety and encuragement bjectives. Objective 2: The Department f Public Wrks creates a Bicycle and Pedestrian Crdinatr psitin with. the respnsibility t cnvene the Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee, facilitate and crdinate bike plan implementatin, and act as a pint f cntact fr public and partner agencies by The Bicycle. and Pedestrian Crdinatr will be respnsible fr maintaining the city s current Bicycle Friendly Cmmunity hnrable mentin frm the League. f American Bicyclists and imprving upn this standing by

8 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Netwrk Objective: Develp wrld-class bicycle infrastructure near-term Pririties 0-2 years Sign the Bicycle Netwrk Scpe f wrk: Install wayfinding and bike rute signs fr entire netwrk; 52 miles Target cmpletin: First year Use accepted standards fr bicycle rute signage that identifies the bicycle netwrk and cmmunicates at key pints destinatin, distance and directin. Cedar Falls prpsed bicycle netwrk uses many lwtraffic residential and cllectr streets that, when cmbined with bicycle rute signage and shared lane markings, are suitable fr mst cyclists. Several f Cedar Falls arterial streets are suitable fr experienced cyclists, but beynd the cmfrt level f mst cyclists. Apprpriate signage n these streets still prvides useful service t thse experienced riders and nrmalizes the presence. f cyclists fr the thusands f mtr vehicle drivers. that use the rutes daily. This plan includes signing the entire bicycle netwrk as a near-term pririty. Nrth t Dwntwn Black Hawk Park 2 U. f Nrthern Iwa C I T Y O F C H I C A G O Mark Traffic Signal Pavement Detectrs Scpe f wrk: Mark 16 signalized intersectins Target cmpletin: First year Place cnsistent markings at signalized intersectins utilizing vehicle detectr lps that shw cyclists where t place their bike fr detectin by the lp. Sme intersectins are cntrlled by vide detectin r autmated timing. Where detectr lps in the pavement are used, cnsistent markings shwing where t psitin a bicycle will help with bicycle awareness and imprve service t bicyclists. Bicycle detectin shuld be rutinely cnsidered when replacing r installing detectr lps. Cedar Falls prpsed bicycle netwrk incrprates key signalized intersectins at high-traffic crss-streets t help cyclists crss mre safely, quickly and cnveniently. Key signalized intersectins n the bicycle netwrk include crssings at: Minnetnka and 1st Street 1st Street and Center Street 1st Street and Main Street Main and 18th Street Main and Seerley Main and University Avenue Main and Greenhill Rad Waterl Rad and 18th Street Waterl Rad and University University and Rwnd Street University and Valley Park University and Hudsn Rad Hudsn and 27th Street Hudsn and 23rd Street Hudsn and 1st Street Cllege and 23rd Street Sme traffic signal lp detectrs will nt detect a bicyclist regardless f the psitin f the bicycle. These lp detectrs shuld be adjusted within reasnable limits t detect mst cyclists and shuld als be a nearterm pririty. Wayfinding and bicycle rute signage that identifies destinatin, distance and directin 6

9 Netwrk Objective Stripe Marked Shared Lanes & Bike Lanes Scpe f wrk: Install n-street markings; 25.5 miles Target fr cmpletin: 2 years On high-traffic arterial streets where width is sufficient, establish 5-ft travel lanes exclusive fr bicyclists use. On all ther rutes, install shared lane markings. Establish a plicy f regular, priritized street sweeping alng bike lane rutes. Bike lanes ffer the highest level f safety fr drivers and cyclists n streets with heavy traffic. They reinfrce prper radway etiquette, raise the visibility f cyclists, and help bicyclists and drivers behave predictably when sharing rad space. A plicy f priritizing these rutes fr regular sweeping shuld be develped t keep lanes acceptably free f rad debris. Streets where bike lanes shuld be cnsidered in the near-term include: Seerley Bulevard 4th Street 18th Street Rwnd Street Streets where shared lane markings shuld be cnsidered in the near-term include: Pheasant Drive 4th Street 8th Street 12th Street 23rd Street 27th Street Admin Drive Campus Street Jennings Drive Orchard Drive Rainbw Drive Grand Avenue Valley Park Drive Lincln Street Walnut Street Cllege Street Clay Street Marked shared lanes help drivers expect and accept cyclists in the street and pass bicyclists with cautin at an acceptable distance. Fr bicyclists, marked shared lanes encurage legal bicyclist behavir and raise cyclists cmfrt levels, helping them ride mre predictably and safely. 11 [3.4m] 14 [4.3m] 7 [2.1m] [2.1m] 5 [1.5m] 10 [3.0m] 10 [3.0m] 5 [1.5m] 7 [2.1m] 4 [1.2m] This is a 42 street with marked shared lanes in bth directins, tw travel lanes, and car parking n bth sides. Surce: City f Chicag This is a 44 street with tw bike lanes, tw travel lanes, and car parking n bth sides. Surce: City f Chicag 7

10 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan near-term Pririties cntinued Bicycle Parking Scpe f wrk: Purchase and install 200 bicycle racks; establish a minimum bicycle parking space rdinance fr public buildings and new business r multi-tenant cnstructin; develp a prcedure fr the remval f abandned bicycles Target fr cmpletin: First year Thrughut the city, install inverted-u parking racks at public buildings and parks, and n publicly wned prperty near businesses and multi-unit residences. Racks shuld be lcated within clear view f the destinatin s entranceway, and preferably as clse as the clsest mtr vehicle parking space, n mre than 50 feet away. Initially, bike parking installatin shuld fcus n existing public buildings, schls, pls and parks, and at lcatins where cyclists are knwn t be underserved, including: Main Street Cllege Hill Campus Street Cllege Square Thunder Ridge Remaining rack installatins shuld be driven by resident and merchant request, taking care t install nly n publicly wned prperty. In areas withut sufficient rm t install bicycle parking between strefrnt and curb, the City may cnsider repurpsing an n-street parking space int a bike parking crral. Cmmunities like Cedar Falls benefit frm adpting a bicycle parking rdinance which mandates new cnstructin and develpment t include bicycle parking per the City s specificatins. See Appendix b. fr a sample rdinance. Cmplete Streets Plicy Scpe f wrk: Develp and adpt a Cmplete Streets plicy fr rad recnstructin prjects Target fr cmpletin: 2 years Fllwing accepted best practices, draft and adpt a Cmplete Streets plicy fr all Cedar Falls rad resurfacing and recnstructin prjects t integrate the accmmdatin f pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders f all ages and abilities int day-t-day transprtatin decisin making. Cmplete Streets are designed and perated t enable safe access fr all users f the transprtatin netwrk. Pedestrians, bicyclists, mtrists and transit riders f. all ages and abilities are able t safely mve alng and acrss a cmplete street. A Cmplete Streets plicy allws Cedar Falls t maximize the value f implementing the bikeway netwrk by imprving access t and frm the netwrk, creating verall safer streets, and prviding further encuragement t leave the autmbile parked, reducing traffic citywide. Best practice guidance is available frm Cmplete the Streets, a nn-prfit partnership f municipal agencies and planning rganizatins (see Appendix a). Bicycle parking, inverted-u racks, pht: Steve Vance

11 Netwrk Objective Mid-term Pririties 3-5 years Stripe Marked Shared Lanes & Bike Lanes Scpe f wrk: Incrprate shared r dedicated bike lanes in planned recnstructin f lcal streets and n apprpriate streets utside f lcal jurisdictin; 4.5 miles Target fr cmpletin: 5 years Where insufficient width r cunty/state jurisdictin prevent the near-term installatin f shared lanes r bike lanes, crdinate their installatin with lcal, cunty and state resurfacing and recnstructin prjects. Thugh insufficient rad width and differing jurisdictins can slw the establishment f bike lanes, crdinating with larger rad prjects encurages cperatin frm these agencies and creates cst efficiencies. Resurfacing, widening r channelizatin prjects are gd pprtunities fr incrprating bike lanes int the prject at minimal additinal cst. Marked shared lane, pht: Sarah Ji Dedicated bike lanes are apprpriate n these segments: 1st Street (State Street t Hudsn Rad) Main Street (1st Street t Seerley Street) Green Hill Rad (Rwnd Street. t Hudsn Rad) Viking Rad Bike lane, pht: David Gleasn 9

12 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Mid-term Pririties cntinued Rad Diet Scpe f wrk: Repurpse the utside lanes f University Avenue as a dedicated shared bus/bike lane; 3 miles. Cnvert Main Street int t tw travel lanes, a tw-way center turn lane, and bike lanes; 1.7 miles Target fr cmpletin: 5 years On University Avenue, reduce mtr vehicle travel lanes frm six t fur by repurpsing the utside lanes in each directin as dedicated space shared by bicycles and lcal bus service. On Main Street, reduce the current furlane prfile t three lanes, including a tw-way center turn lane and bike lanes. University Avenue, nce a majr arterial fr Cedar Falls, has seen its daily traffic vlume reduced dramatically since the reruting f Highway 218; it nw perates far belw its 6-lane capacity. Several businesses that likely wuld generate sme bicycle travel exist alng the rad, and imprving bicycle and transit access culd encurage new business and public space develpment. Cnverting the utside lanes in each directin t shared bus/bicycle lanes wuld leave fur lanes fr mtr vehicle travel (mre than adequate fr the street s ADT) and create space fr cyclists. Unlike a car stpped in the lane, a bus nly unlads n the curbside, aviding a dring cnflict with cyclists passing legally n the left. The average daily traffic vlume n Main Street als can be served adequately with tw fewer travel lanes and the additin f a center turn lane. The turn lane allws leftturning vehicles (which typically take lnger t clear the travel way than right-turning vehicles) t mve ut f the flw f traffic. This allws the tw travel lanes t perate efficiently, reduces the likelihd f rear-end crashes, and frees space t install bicycle lanes. University Avenue and Main Street are within Iwa Department f Transprtatin s (DOT) jurisdictin, requiring Cedar Falls t cmply with traffic study guidelines and crdinate wrk with that agency, lengthening the prjects timelines. T maximize cst efficiencies, the cnversins shuld be integrated with the state s planned resurfacing prgram. Befre After This illustratin is an example f a rad diet that cnverts a fur-lane rad int a rad with tw bike lanes, tw travel lanes, and a center turn lane. Surce: City f Chicag 10

13 Netwrk Objective Lng-term Pririties 6-10 years Stripe Bike Lanes and Marked Shared Lanes Scpe f wrk: Crdinate striping shared lane and dedicated bike lane markings where apprpriate with planned cunty/state recnstructin prjects Target fr cmpletin: 10 years Issues f expense, engineering challenges, and/r jurisdictin make establishing marked bicycle rutes likely lng-term prjects n: Unin Rad Center Street Hudsn Rad Much f the timeline fr cmpleting bth mid- and. lng-term gals relies n the plans f cunty and state agencies. Cedar Falls shuld be vigilant and practively crdinate with nearer-term cunty and state prjects. t cmplete mid- and lng-term bike facilities. nging imprvements. In additin t these priritized infrastructure recmmendatins, Cedar Falls will need t adpt the fllwing nging imprvements t ensure that the bikeway netwrk cntinues t be safe and accessible t all users f the rad. Minr changes t the existing transprtatin netwrk can have a big impact n making a cmmunity mre bicycle friendly. These are generally lw-cst spt imprvements that are easy t implement. Examples include installing cul-de-sac cut-thrughs and replacing hazardus drainage gates. These tw measures add cntinuity and cnvenience t the netwrk fr cyclists and shuld be cntinued as needed thrughut the city. Input frm residents will help determine where spt imprvements are needed. A frm shuld be made available at bike shps and libraries and n the City s web site t slicit requests fr spt imprvements frm residents. 11

14 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Prgram Objective: Imprve skills, knwledge and rad-sharing behavir f cyclists, mtrists and pedestrians educatin & Enfrcement Cedar Falls Bicycling Ambassadr Descriptin: The Cedar Falls Bicycling Ambassadr educates and encurages the public t bike and walk mre and t d s safely. The Ambassadr gives face-. t-face demnstratins t kids, teens and adults by participating in cmmunity events and running special prgrams. The Ambassadr wrks with partners in the cmmunity t identify and address lcal transprtatin safety cncerns. The Ambassadr presents apprximately 15 t 20 demnstratins in a seasn. The City f Cedar Falls maintains the prgram. If the prgram is successful, the City will cnsider expanding the Ambassadr t a year-rund prgram. The Ambassadr will increase the fferings f bicycle educatin classes thrugh the City s Park and Recreatin Divisins and private camps and thrugh general park district prgramming. The Ambassadr will begin ffering bicycle safety and encuragement prgramming t Cedar Falls schls and will be available fr blck parties and ther lcal festivals. Objective: Hire a Cedar Falls Bicycle Ambassadr fr 2010 prgramming, including bicycle safety/educatin demnstratins at 15 cmmunity events. Safe Rutes t Schl Descriptin: The purpse f Safe Rutes t Schl (SRTS) is t increase the number f children wh walk r bicycle t schl by funding prjects that remve the barriers t ding s. The Cedar Falls Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee shuld begin t rganize SRTS teams at lcal schls that invlve stakehlders such as parents, plice and public wrks fficials. These teams, nce established, shuld assess the needed imprvements t the physical walking and biking envirnment and determine the encuragement, educatin and enfrcement slutins that will increase the number f children walking. and biking. Bicycle safety prgrams shuld be cnsidered at all schls. The Cedar Falls Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee shuld develp the capacity t partner with schls. t develp a regular and sustainable bicycling educatin prgram. This plan recmmends that the City and schls partner with the Iwa Bicycle Calitin fr necessary SRTS training, facilitatin, resurces and materials. The Iwa Bicycle Calitin ffers training fr lcal cmmittees, curriculum fr integratin int schl lessn plans, and a biking and walking encuragement activity guide t assist with encuragement prgrams. The Iwa DOT can als prvide safety educatin materials t reinfrce bike safety messages. Objective: Establish SRTS teams at each elementary. and middle schl by Bicycle Ambassadr attends a cmmunity event 12

15 Prgram Objective Law Enfrcement Descriptin: Enfrce traffic laws that imprve the safety f bicycling. Plice fficers are best equipped t respnd t bicycle safety and enfrcement issues when apprpriate training has been prvided and lcal rdinances prvide clear, reasnable guidance n enfrcement issues. The Cedar Falls Plice Department has already started t develp an enfrcement vide that explains the rules f the rad fr cyclists and mtr vehicle drivers. These effrts shuld be cntinued by prviding intrductry and nging training n enfrcement f the traffic laws that create a safe bicycling envirnment by The curriculum shuld include: Rules f the rad fr bicyclists Illegal mtrist behavirs that endanger bicyclists Mst dangerus types f bicycling behavirs Mst cmmn causes f bicycle crashes Imprtance f reprting bicycle crashes Imprtance f investigating serius bicycle crash sites Best ways t prevent bicycle theft Advantages t plicing by bicycle Transprtatin, health and envirnmental benefits. f bicycling Objective 1: The Cedar Falls Plice Department designates a liaisn t cmmunicate with the bicycling cmmunity, crdinate bicycle safety and enfrcement training t the department, and participate in the Cedar Falls Bicycle Task Frce by The Iwa Bicycle Calitin and the Active Transprtatin Alliance can prvide training and resurce materials. Mbility Educatin Campaign Descriptin: Many bicyclists and mtrists d nt knw r understand the rules f the rad fr cyclists. Educating these grups n the rules will create a safer envirnment fr everyne. Objective: Beginning in 2012, the city distributes bicycling infrmatin by: Arranging fr bicycle infrmatin t be reprinted. and/r distributed by partner agencies, utility cmpanies and the private sectr Including infrmatin with utility bills and city parking sticker renewals Partnering with lcal bike shps t distribute publicatins Partnering with lcal dctrs and hspitals and. lcal/state public health agencies t distribute infrmatin n the health benefits f cycling Partnering with the University f Nrthern Iwa Student Health Clinic t develp materials. and distribute infrmatin t the student bdy Preparing an updated vide fr Cedar Falls. Channel Fur Objective 2: In cnsultatin with the Cedar Falls Plice Department, the Cedar Falls Bicycle Task Frce will make recmmendatins t the City Cuncil t adapt. and amend city rdinances fr the purpse f prmting and enfrcing a safe envirnment fr cycling by

16 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Encuragement City Bicycle Map Descriptin: A City Bicycle Map encurages bicycle. use by prmting existing n-street bicycle rutes and identifying bicycle-friendly rutes t imprtant and ppular destinatins like parks, schls, libraries and business districts f Cedar Falls. The map culd highlight the city s histric district and ther key destinatins. Cpies can be mailed t current residents in summer 2010 and included in new resident packets. Cnsider private sectr spnsrship fr printing the map. Objective: The Cedar Trails Partnership, Department. f Public Wrks, Chamber f Cmmerce, and Cedar Falls Turism and Visitrs Bureau wrk tgether t design and publish a free bicycle map in spring 2010 that includes recmmended street rutes. Bike t Wrk Week Bicycle Cmmuter Challenge Descriptin: The Bike t Wrk Week Bicycle Cmmuter Challenge gives bicycle cmmuters and nn-cmmuters alike the chance t learn mre abut traveling by bicycle. During Bike t Wrk Week, participating agencies and businesses encurage emplyees t bike t all r part f their cmmutes. Bicycle cmmuting enables ffice wrkers t fit regular exercise int their busy, but ften sedentary, wrk rutines. Peple wh exercise, including walking r biking t wrk, are healthier and mre energetic. This translates t emplyer cst savings: greater prductivity, less sick leave time, fewer wrker cmpensatin claims, and lwer verall health care csts. Objective: The Black Hawk Cunty Health Department r Iwa State University s Extensin Office creates. an encuragement/educatin prgram that challenges business and public agencies t cmpete thrugh encuraging emplyees t bicycle t wrk. Shp By Bike Descriptin: By encuraging residents t take their bikes n shrt errands t lcal shps, Shp by Bike prgrams help add physical activity t residents daily rutines, help relieve parking issues, and supprt lcal businesses. With Shp by Bike, retailers ffer discunts and/r prmtins fr shppers n bike. T develp the prgram, the Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee shuld pursue partnerships with the retailers, merchant assciatins, the Farmer s Market, and the Cedar Falls Turism and Visitrs Bureau t encurage shpping by bike in Cedar Falls. The Cedar Falls Bicycling Ambassadr shuld ffer Shpping by Bike classes twice yearly and educate merchants n the advantages f attracting and accmmdating bicycle-riding custmers and staff. Adequate bicycle parking is an imprtant prerequisite fr a successful Shp by Bike prgram; bicycle parking needs shuld be assessed befre the prgram begins. Temprary bicycle parking, prvided thrugh prtable bicycle racks r by rping ff mnitred bicycle crrals, can be sufficient fr special events. Objective: Develp a summer-lng Shp by Bike prgram. Lcal resident shps fr grceries by bike 14

17 Prgram Objective Car-Free Day Descriptin: Car-Free Days are fun events that prmte car-free travel fr lcal errands and trips. Prgramming can include: Clsing three t fur streets t car traffic, perhaps creating a rectangular netwrk prviding access t all parts f Cedar Falls Inviting merchants t ffer special discunts t participants Offering bicycling classes leading up t the event thrugh the Cedar Falls Bicycling Ambassadr prgram Objective: The Cedar Falls Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee, beginning in 2011, wrks with several partner agencies, including the Parks Divisin, Plice Department, and Public Wrks t designate ne day each year fr special prgramming that encurages residents t bike r walk fr lcal trips. Bicycle Sharing Prgram Descriptin: The Bicycle Sharing Prgram will encurage bicycle use fr shrt-term transprtatin and recreatin n and arund the University f Nrthern Iwa campus and ther activity centers. Patrns can check ut bikes frm kisks lcated thrughut Cedar Falls and return t any kisk. A credit card r debit card is usually required as a depsit. There is cmmnly n charge fr the first 30 minutes, and a nminal charge is applied after that. The csts fr the prgram are cvered by a cmbinatin f spnsrship, advertising and user fees. Objective: The City and the Cedar Falls Bicycle Advisry Cmmittee will wrk t secure a vendr t manage a Bike Sharing prgram by City Bicycle Fleet Descriptin: Encuraging City staff t use bicycles fr wrk travel arund Cedar Falls can be cnsiderably cheaper and ften mre effective than using autmbiles. Emplyees will have better cntact with residents in the neighbrhds. Using bicycles fr wrk als imprves emplyee health and fitness. The Cedar Falls Bicycling Ambassadr shuld ffer twice-yearly classes fr City emplyees cvering basic bike safety, simple radside maintenance, and cmmuting/carrying by bike. B-cycle statin, Denver Bicycle Sharing Pilt Prgram, pht: Andrew Duvall Objective: The Department f Public Wrks increases the use f bicycles n the jb by City agencies and departments in

18 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Evaluatin and Implementatin Evaluatin Implementatin The gals f this Bicycle Plan are t increase bicycle use and create a safe and inviting envirnment fr bicycles. T meet these gals, Cedar Falls shuld identify a system fr cunting bicycles and bicyclists in rder t track prgress. Fr example, the City culd cnduct annual bicyclist cunts at specific intersectins that are highly traversed by bicycles and cunt parked bikes at ppular destinatins and transit statins. Cedar Falls shuld perfrm crash analysis n an annual basis. Data cllectin shuld be cmprehensive, including mtr vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian crashes as well as injury and fatality data. The City shuld als maintain an up-t-date inventry f available bicycle parking. This inventry can be verified n an annual basis. Ideally, Cedar Falls will establish the cunts befre the Bicycle Plan is implemented s that there is a baseline fr cmparisn. This plan recmmends that the prpsed bicycle netwrk be implemented within 10 years and the safety and encuragement prgrams becme institutins within. 3 years. This plan breaks dwn the general timing f the varius facilities and prgram implementatin. Fr bicycle facilities, prject phasing shuld take int accunt the cmplexity f the prject, benefits f the imprvements, and available funds. The first phase f implementatin includes thse prjects that are easier t implement and can be initiated right away. Subsequent phases will include prjects that require mre discussin r a mre cmplicated design. 16

19 Appendices Appendices Appendix A Bicycle Facilities Guidance and Resurces Bicycle Lane Design Resurces Bike Lane Design Guide, City f Chicag and the Active Transprtatin Alliance, COC_EDITORIAL/bike_lane.pdf Guide fr the Develpment f Bicycle Facilities, 3rd Editin; American Assciatin f State Highway and Transprtatin Officials, Bike Parking Resurce Bike Parking fr Yur Business,. Active Transprtatin Alliance, Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrmatin Center U.S. Department f Transprtatin.. Cmplete the Streets Appendix B Sample Bicycle Parking Ordinance. Base the number f bicycle parking spaces n 5 percent f required mtr vehicle spaces (minimum 4 bicycle parking spaces/maximum 40 bicycle parking spaces, depending n prximity t bikeway netwrk). Exemptins: Single- and tw-family dwellings; warehusing and distributin; mrtuaries; aut service;. day care centers; car washes; drive-up establishments and airprts. Lcatin and Design Elements Inverted-U structure preferred Shuld accmmdate U-lcks/chains and shall supprt a bicycle at tw lcatins Thermplastic pwder cating n racks and must be anchred securely t grund per manufacturers specificatins Bicycle parking shuld be separated frm vehicle parking. (grade differences, landscaping, ples, etc.) Spaces shall be 30 x 6 per bicycle with a 5 -wide access aisle frm behind. Sidewalk adjacent may serve as access site. Spaces shuld be within 50 f entrance and clearly safe and cnvenient (lit if necessary) Parking areas may be shared by tw venues within 50 f ne anther Parking areas shuld be easily accessible frm trails, sidewalks and ther alternative mdes f transprtatin Natinal Cmplete Streets Calitin.. Active Transprtatin Alliance 9 W. Hubbard St., Ste. 402, Chicag, IL 60654; ; 17

20 Cedar Falls Bicycle Plan Appendix C Funding Surces Federal Transprtatin Enhancement Prgram The Federal Transprtatin Enhancement Prgram (FTEP) funds enhancement r preservatin activities fr transprtatin-related prjects. A minimum 30 percent lcal match is required fr statewide enhancements and a 20 percent r mre lcal match fr reginal prjects as determined by RPA r MPO. Enhancements must have a direct relatinship t the existing r planned surface transprtatin facilities. Cntact the apprpriate RPA/MPO fr applicatin requirements fr reginal (nn-statewide) prjects. Applicatins are available frm Iwa DOT and nline at: Prgram s Annual Funding Level: Minimum ttal prject size fr statewide enhancements is typically $100,000. Applicatin Deadline: Octber 1 fr statewide applicatins. Check RPA and MPO fr lcal applicatin. Federal Recreatinal Trails Prgram State Recreatinal Trails Prgram The State Recreatinal Trails Prgram funds public recreatinal trails. A minimum 25 percent lcal match is required. Vlunteer services and ther state grants are nt eligible as matching funds. Prpsed prjects must be part f a lcal, area-wide, reginal r statewide trail plan. Trails resulting frm successful applicatins must be maintained as a public facility fr a minimum f 20 years. Applicatin frms are available frm the Iwa Department f Transprtatin and nline at:. Prgram s Annual Funding Level: $1,000,000 Applicatin Deadline: January 2, 2010 Bikes Belng Bikes Belng, a natinal assciatin f bicycle industry members, ffers relatively small, ne-time grants nrmally $10,000 r less fr bicycle facilities and bicycling encuragement prgrams. Funds can be used as lcal match. Prgram infrmatin nline at:. Federal Recreatinal Trails Prgram funding is used t develp and maintain mtrized and nn-mtrized recreatinal trails and trail-related prjects (trailheads, kisks, lighting, etc.). A minimum 20 percent match is required. Trails resulting frm successful applicatins must be maintained as a public facility fr a minimum f 20 years. Applicatin frms are available frm the Iwa Department f Transprtatin and nline at: Prgram s Annual Funding Level: Apprx. $1,000,000 Applicatin Deadline: Octber 1,

21 Appendices Appendix D Sample Cmplete Streets Plicy The fllwing dcument is a cpy f the Ranke, Virginia Cmplete Streets plicy. The City adpted the plicy int their cmprehensive plan, Visin , in March, This plicy serves as sample language fr Cedar Falls Cmplete Streets plicy. 19

22 City f Ranke Cmplete Streets Plicy Cmplete Streets are streets that safely accmmdate street users f all ages and abilities such as pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and mtrists. Thrugh this plicy, the City f Ranke intends t ensure that all transprtatin agencies within the City shall rutinely plan, fund, design, cnstruct, perate, and maintain their streets accrding t the Cmplete Street principles f the City s Street Design Guidelines with the gal f creating an attractive cnnected multimdal netwrk that balances the needs f all users, except where there are demnstrated exceptinal circumstances. By adpting this plicy the City f Ranke: Affirms that Imprving Streetscapes t create great streets, a strategic initiative f the City s Cmprehensive Plan Visin , will imprve bth Ranke s image and its functin by prviding a safe and attractive envirnment fr street users f all ages and abilities such as pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and mtrists; Recgnizes that the develpment f pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure supprts Visin s strategic initiative Investing in Critical Amenities because it enhances recreatinal pprtunities and well-designed cityscapes, thus prmting active lifestyles; Appreciates the psitive rle that gd pedestrian and bicycle facilities play in attracting ppulatin grwth and sustainable ecnmic develpment; Values the lng-term cst savings f develping pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure as they relate t imprved public health, imprved envirnmental stewardship, reduced fuel cnsumptin, and the reduced demand fr mtr vehicle infrastructure. Recgnizes that Cmplete Streets may be achieved thrugh single prjects r incrementally thrugh a series f smaller imprvements r maintenance activities ver time, and that all surces f transprtatin-related funding be drawn upn t implement Cmplete Streets. Intends t maximize the number f transprtatin ptins available within the public right-f-way.

23 City f Ranke Cmplete Streets Plicy Additinally, Ranke City Cuncil declares it is the City f Ranke s plicy t: 1. Use the Street Design Guidelines t guide the planning, funding, design, cnstructin, peratin, and maintenance f new and mdified streets in Ranke while remaining flexible t the unique circumstances f different streets where sund engineering and planning judgment will prduce cntext sensitive designs. 2. Incrprate the Street Design Guidelines principles int all City plans, manuals, rules, regulatins and prgrams as apprpriate. 3. Keep street pavement widths t the minimum necessary. 4. Prvide pedestrian accmmdatin in the frm f sidewalks r shared-use pathways n all arterial and cllectr streets and n lcal streets in the Dwntwn, Village Center, Traditinal Neighbrhd, Suburban Neighbrhd, Lcal Cmmercial, Reginal Cmmercial, and Industrial character districts. 5. Prvide bicycle accmmdatin alng all arterial and cllectr streets. Bicycle accmmdatin n lcal streets shuld be prvided within the travel lanes shared with mtr vehicles and n additinal markings, signage, r pavement shuld be prvided unless a designated bicycle rute requires the use f a lcal street. 6. Where physical cnditins warrant, plant trees whenever a street is newly cnstructed, recnstructed, r relcated. 7. The Directr f Public Wrks, Directr f Parks and Recreatin and the Directr f Planning, Building and Develpment will present a written explanatin t the City Manager fr apprval when plicies 3-6 abve are nt reasnable r feasible per the fllwing exceptinal circumstances: a. Public safety wuld be cmprmised b. Severe tpgraphic cnstraints exist c. Envirnmental r scial impacts utweigh the need fr these accmmdatins d. The purpse and scpe f the prject des nt facilitate prvisin f such accmmdatin e. The ttal cst f cnstructing and/r maintaining the accmmdatin, including ptential right-f-way acquisitin, wuld be excessively disprprtinate t the need fr the facility f. A public cnsensus determines the accmmdatin is unwanted

24 City f Ranke Cmplete Streets Plicy In supprt f this Cmplete Streets Plicy, the City f Ranke will: Update all necessary and apprpriate cdes, standards and rdinances t ensure that design cmpnents fr all new r mdified streets fllw the intent f the Street Design Guidelines. Update the prcess f evaluating requests fr new curb and/r pedestrian accmmdatins. Identify all current and ptential future surces f funding fr street imprvements Cntinue inter-departmental prject crdinatin amng city departments with an interest in the activities that ccur within the public right-f-way in rder t better use fiscal resurces. Train pertinent staff in the engineering, parks and recreatin, planning, and transprtatin departments n the cntent f the Street Design Guidelines Use the fllwing prcess when planning imprvements within the public right-f-way a. Identify the street type accrding t Ranke s street hierarchy b. Identify the current and future character district(s) that pertain t the prject c. Identify the mst apprpriate street typical sectin accrding t the street type and character district d. Identify any general elements that may apply t the wrk Measure the success f this cmplete streets plicy using the fllwing perfrmance measures: a. Ttal miles f n-street bicycle rutes defined by streets with clearly marked r signed bicycle accmmdatin b. Linear feet f new pedestrian accmmdatin c. Number f new curb ramps installed alng city streets d. Number f new street trees planted alng city streets Update the Street Design Guidelines as needed

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26 9 West Hubbard Street Suite 402 Chicag, IL T F