Summary Document
Purpose The was developed to increase safety, mobility, and recognition of cycling in the High Country region (Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties). While the region has a significant number of recreational cyclists and organized events, major infrastructure improvements are needed to increase safety and make cycling a viable transportation option for the intermediate cyclist. The intends to complement existing State, County, and Municipal plans by making specific regional-level recommendations for bicycle facility projects. The plan identifies a network of routes that connect municipalities and other destinations within the High Country region. The route network also includes connections to destinations and other bike routes outside the High Country region. In addition to identifying the route network, the Plan makes recommendations for facility improvements, and sets priorities for the improvements. Process The Plan was developed under the supervision of a Steering Committee appointed by the seven Boards of County Commissioners. The Steering Committee also included North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) staff. Additional input on the Plan was provided by Town and County Planning staff, local cyclists, and the general public. Public input was gathered from over 1,000 survey responses and comments at 17 meetings. Recommendations in the plan were developed using a variety of inputs, including analysis of existing roadway data; analysis of existing roadway conditions; analysis of existing transportation plans; research of the economic impact of cycling; research of best practices regarding cyclist education; interviews with transit providers in the region; and a survey of law enforcement agencies in the region. The Plan was adopted by the seven High Country Counties, the Town of Boone, the High Country Council of Governments, and the High Country RPO. Recommendations The has two major components. It makes specific facility improvement recommendations for a Bicycle Transportation Route Network that connects the Towns and other major destinations in the region. It also recommends the establishment of seven Recreational Routes designed for tourism promotion. Additional recommendations regarding Enforcement, Education, Transit Interface, Economic Impact from Cycling, and Policies are included in the Plan.
Bicycle Transportation Facility Improvements The Bicycle Transportation Route Network identified in the Plan includes 620 miles of NCDOT road, Blue Ridge Parkway, and existing and proposed Greenway trails. The network is divided into 46 segments. The Plan includes a map, recommended improvement, and prioritization of each route segment. Recommended improvements are based on guidelines developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and include bike lanes, wide shoulders, and off-road paths. The Plan also identifies areas where no facility improvement is warranted/feasible due to development constraints and speed limits. This Summary Document includes a map of the recommended facility improvements at the County level, and a map of improvement priorities at the region level. Recreational Routes One Recreational Route was developed in each County. With recommended wayfinding signs and promotion strategies, the Recreational Routes are intended to take advantage of the economic impact from bicycle tourism. In addition to the Recreational Routes, there are many organized cycling events (rides and races) in the High Country region that can be promoted to increase tourism spending. Based on various studies, the average cycling event participant spends between $260 and $495 per day. This Summary Document includes a map of the recommended recreational routes at the region level. The full Plan includes a map of each of the seven routes, elevation profiles of the routes, and a map showing location of recommended wayfinding signage for each route. Additional Recommendations In addition to the Bicycle Transportation Route recommendations and establishment of the seven Recreational Routes, the recommends strategies in the areas of enforcement, transit, economic development, education, and land-use policies. Accommodation of bicycles on transit vehicles can help make cycling a feasible transportation option. It is recommended that all seven County transit agencies operating in the region continue or begin to transport bicycles on their vans and buses. Recommendations regarding education and enforcement focus on educating law enforcement officers, cyclists, and motorists on current NC traffic laws related to bicycles. Recommended land-use policies are intended to improve access for cyclists during new land development through requirements in local zoning and subdivision regulations.
Implementation Implementation of the include short-term and long-term strategies. Establishment, signing, and promotion of the Recreational Routes can occur quickly. Promotion of the Recreational Routes and existing cycling events will be a function of local governments, Chambers of Commerce, bike clubs, and event organizers. Education on cycling laws can also be accomplished locally, primarily through the High Country Rural Planning Organization (RPO). Implementation of the Bicycle Transportation Route recommendations will be long-term. It is anticipated that most bicycle facility improvements (bike lanes, wide shoulders) will occur as part of larger highway projects. Programming of those improvements will require coordination among local governments, High Country RPO, and NCDOT.
Alleghany County UV 93 21 UV 113 Sparta UV 113 21 0 0.5 1 2 Route Segments By Improvement Recommendation 4' PAVED SHOULDER 4' BIKE LANE 4-5' PAVED SHOULDER 4-6' PAVED SHOULDER NO IMPROVEMENT Blue Ridge Parkway
UV 88 0 0.75 1.5 3 Ashe County Lansing UV 88 UV 88 Jefferson West Jefferson Route Segments 3 By Improvement Recommendation 4' PAVED SHOULDER 4' BIKE LANE 4-5' BIKE LANE 4-5' PAVED SHOULDER 4-6' PAVED SHOULDER NO IMPROVEMENT Blue Ridge Parkway
0 0.75 1.5 3 Avery County Beech Mountain Elk Park 4 Banner Elk Seven Devils 19E 4 Sugar Mountain Newland UV 105 1 Route Segments By Improvement Recommendation 2' PAVED SHOULDER 4' PAVED SHOULDER 4' PAVED SHOULDER (NORTHBOUND LANE ONLY) 4' BIKE LANE 4' BIKE LANE (NORTHBOUND LANE ONLY) 4-5' PAVED SHOULDER 4-6' PAVED SHOULDER NO IMPROVEMENT 19E Crossnore 1 Blue Ridge Parkway
0 0.5 1 2 Mitchell County UV 197 UV 261 Bakersville UV 80 Route Segments By Improvement Recommendation 2' PAVED SHOULDER 4' PAVED SHOULDER 4' BIKE LANE 4-5' PAVED SHOULDER 4-6' PAVED SHOULDER 19E Spruce Pine Blue Ridge Parkway
0 0.5 1 2 Watauga County Route Segments By Improvement Recommendation 2' PAVED SHOULDER 2' PAVED SHOULDER (SOUTHBOUND LANE ONLY) 4' PAVED SHOULDER 4' BIKE LANE 4' BIKE LANE (NORTHBOUND LANE ONLY) 4-5' BIKE LANE 4-5' PAVED SHOULDER 4-6' PAVED SHOULDER OFF-ROAD PAVED PATH NO IMPROVEMENT Blue Ridge Parkway Beech Mountain 421 Boone UV 105 Seven Devils UV 105 Blowing Rock
Ronda 0 1.25 2.5 5 Wilkes County Route Segments By Improvement Recommendation 2' PAVED SHOULDER 4' PAVED SHOULDER 4' BIKE LANE 4-5' BIKE LANE 4-5' PAVED SHOULDER EXTENSION OF EXISTING GREENWAY NO IMPROVEMENT UV 268 Wilkesboro UV 115 North Wilkesboro UV 268 UV 115
0 0.75 1.5 3 Yancey County UV 197 19W Burnsville 19 19E 19E UV 197 Route Segments By Improvement Recommendation 2' PAVED SHOULDER UV 80 4' PAVED SHOULDER 4' PAVED SHOULDER (NORTHBOUND LANE ONLY) 4' BIKE LANE 4-6' PAVED SHOULDER NO IMPROVEMENT UV 128 Blue Ridge Parkway
21 Sparta WILKES ALLEGHANY North Wilkesboro UV 115 21 UV 268 0 2.5 5 10 Ronda Bike Route Segment Priorites V IR GI NI A UV 93 Lansing ASHE UV 113 UV 88 Jefferson UV 113 West Jefferson 3 UV 88 Elk Park TENN ES S E E Beech Mountain Banner Elk WATAUGA Seven Devils UV 105 Boone 19 19W UV 197 YANCEY Burnsville UV 197 UV 128 19E MITCHELL Bakersville Spruce Pine AVERY Crossnore Sugar Mtn UV 105 Blowing Rock Newland UV 221 268 UV UV 226 261 19E UV 80 UV 80 UV 221 Bike Routes By Designated Priority LOW MEDIUM HIGH Major Roads County Boundaries Municipal Boundaries Wilkesboro
UV 93 21 Wilkesboro Sparta Stone Mountain State Park WILKES ALLEGHANY North Wilkesboro UV 115 21 UV 268 0 2.5 5 10 Ronda Recreational Bike Routes V IR GI NI A New River State Park Lansing ASHE UV 113 Elk Park TENN ES S E E Beech Mountain Banner Elk Seven Devils WATAUGA UV 105 Elk Knob State Park Boone UV 88 West Jefferson Jefferson Mt. Jefferson State Park UV 3 16 New River State Park UV 88 Rendezvous Mtn State Educational Forest UV 113 Doughton Park 19 Pisgah National Forest 19W UV 197 Burnsville UV 197 YANCEY UV 128 19E Mt. Mitchell State Park UV Sugar 105 Julian Price Blowing Rock W. Kerr Scott Reservoir Mtn Grandfather Mtn Memorial AVERY State Park Park Newland UV 221 268 UV UV 226 261 19E UV Crossnore 18 Pisgah National Bakersville Forest UV 221 UV 80 Spruce Pine MITCHELL UV 80 Pisgah National Forest Recreational Bike Routes Blue Ridge Parkway Major Roads County Boundaries Municipal Boundaries State Land Federal Land