RHODE ISLAND MOVING FORWARD BICYCLE MOBILITY PLAN 2018 PREPARED FOR PREPARED BY IN ASSOCIATION WITH
T AF CHAPTER 1 D R INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 3 ARTICULATES VISION Bicycling is safe, fun and practical in the Ocean State. Implementation of the Bicycle Mobility Plan has made Rhode Island the most-bikeable state in New England. Bicycling is fully integrated into the state s and municipalities policies, programs and improvement projects, creating a network of paths and streets that safely connect our cities, towns, villages and regions. Bicycle projects are designed to encourage people of all ages and abilities to choose bicycling for both transportation and recreation. Chapter 1 articulates a Vision for bicycling in Rhode Island along with the goals, objectives, and performance measures that will guide the Bicycle Mobility Plan and make it an effective document to help implement the Vision. 1.1 VISION The State of Rhode Island aims to increase bicycling by residents, workers, and visitors of all ages and abilities. The goals, objectives and performance measures of the Rhode Island Bicycle Mobility Plan (BMP) will guide the planning, funding and implementation of a statewide trail network, on-road bicycle improvements and bicycle policies and programs for years to come. A Vision is a broad inspirational statement for the desired future state of bicycling. Goals are general statements of what people who live, work or visit Rhode Island hope to achieve over time. Objectives are more-specific action items that will help to achieve the goals. Performance Measures are annual or bi-annual data-driven benchmarks that help the state gauge progress towards the BMP s goals and objectives. Responsible Parties are state and local agencies expected to take the lead in monitoring data points to meet the recommended Performance Measures for each Goal. In some cases, non-profits may be included as a responsible party. BICYCLE MOBILITY PLAN 1
1.2 GOALS + OBJECTIVES RHODE ISLAND MOVING FORWARD GOAL 1 CONNECT THE STATE S BICYCLING NETWORK OBJECTIVE GOAL 1 PERFORMANCE MEASURES 1.1 Eliminate gaps in the shared use path network, Local govt 1.2 Complete regional and local connections along the on-street network, especially focusing on bridges 1.3 Connect each state park and state beach with at least one all ages and abilities facility, i.e. shared use path or separated bike lane facility 1.4 Make Rhode Island the first state in the U.S. to have a continuous and safe East Coast Greenway route 1.5 Plan an interconnected bicycle network across the urban, suburban, and rural areas of Rhode Island 1.6 Design bicycle facilities for all ages and abilities, separated from automobile traffic and providing comfortable spaces for all who currently ride, or wish to ride but want to feel safer 1.7 Prioritize investments in the bicycling network to meet not only current demand, but future demand for facilities as well 1 Number of shared use path gaps eliminated (RIDOT), Local govt, local govt RIDOT, local govt 2 Percentage increase in miles of bicycle facilities that can be used by a significant number of Rhode Islanders for transportation purposes (50% increase in 2018 miles by 2020, 100% by 2025 and 200% by 2030) (RIDOT) 3 Total number of on-street bicycle facility miles, by category (e.g. separated bike lanes/cycle tracks and standard, striped bike lanes) (RIDOT) 4 Percentage of residents who live within one mile of a shared use path or separated bike lane (as of 2016 this accounts for 43% 455,500 of the current population of 1.06 million) () 5 Number of state parks and beaches connected with shared use paths or separated bike lanes (RIDOT) 2
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION GOAL 2 INTEGRATE BICYCLING WITH TRANSIT OBJECTIVE GOAL 2 PERFORMANCE MEASURES 2.1 Maximize opportunities for secure, long-term bicycle parking at transit facilities (train stations, ferry terminals and bus stops) 2.2 Establish policies that require bicycle connectivity and access to existing transit and future improvements (facilities and operations) 2.3 Ensure that bicycle network improvements are made near transit facilities (train stations, ferry terminals and bus stops) 2.4 Install wayfinding signage for bicyclists in and around transit facilities (train stations, ferry terminals and bus stops) 2.5 Work with the MBTA, RIPTA, Amtrak, other transit agencies and tour bus operators to improve access for people with bicycles onto their vehicles or into storage areas 2.6 Establish public bike share systems that are compatible with adjacent municipalities RIPTA, MBTA, RIPTA RIDOT, local govt RIPTA, MBTA Local govt RIPTA, MBTA, Amtrak, private DOA, Local govt 1 Total number of short-term bicycle parking spaces at train stations, ferry terminals and bus stops (DOA, RIPTA, MBTA) MBTA) 2 Total number of secure, long-term bicycle parking spaces at train stations, ferry terminals and bus stops (DOA, RIPTA, MBTA) 3 Number of bike share systems and bicycles, statewide (DOA) 4 Number of bicyclists using bus racks, boarding trains and parking at transit stations (DOA, RIPTA, BICYCLE MOBILITY PLAN 3
OBJECTIVE RHODE ISLAND MOVING FORWARD GOAL 3 DEVELOP STRONGER STATEWIDE BICYCLING POLICIES GOAL 3 PERFORMANCE MEASURES 3.1 Establish dedicated local and statewide funding streams for bicycle and Complete Streets projects, as a complement to the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) 3.2 Establish dedicated funding streams for pavement and other maintenance (fences, benches, etc.) of the statewide trail network and bicycle facilities 3.3 Establish policies and/or funding stream for snow removal on the statewide trail network and on local bicycle facilities 3.4 Adopt a policy that requires bicycle accommodations in every publicly-funded roadway project (except limited-access highways) RIDOT RIDOT RIDOT, Local Govt RIDOT 3.5 Adopt a bicycle Level of Traffic Stress analysis methodology 3.6 Create more-distinct definitions for bicycle facilities on RIDOT s statewide bicycling map (e.g. avoid vague terms such as suitable in the legend and instead focus on ability for roadway to accommodate all types of bicyclists vs. confident/ experienced riders vs. not recommended for most) 3.7 Develop a new statewide bicycling map and accompanying smart phone application 3.8 Publish a statewide bicycle-facility design manual that incorporates guidance from NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, the FHWA Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks, and RIPTA s Bus Stop Design Guide 3.9 In coordination with the Strategic Highway Safety Plan, help establish a Vulnerable Users Task Force to engage leadership from various agencies 3.10 Conduct national best practices trainings for state transportation planners and engineers related to bicycle facility design (e.g. NACTO and the FHWA Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks) 3.11 Continue the September bicycle count program in order to track progress over time and expand the program to include more locations and additional count dates/times 3.12 Regularly update the Rhode Island Bicycle Mobility Plan (every five or at most ten years) RIDOT 1 Funding dedicated for bicycle-related improvement projects () 2 Funding dedicated for maintenance of shared-use paths and other bicycle facilities () 3 Percentage change in the number of bicycle trips at the statewide count locations (to be recommended subsequently in the final BMP report) (RIDOT) DOA DOA 4
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVE GOAL 4 PROMOTE EQUITY IN BICYCLE PLANNING AND FUNDING GOAL 4 PERFORMANCE MEASURES 4.1 Invest in bicycle facilities in traditionally underserved communities* 4.2 Distribute project funding to all regions of the state, taking into account need, safety hot spots and future demand 4.3 Prioritize bicycle education and encouragement programs throughout the state, including traditionally underserved communities 4.4 Reach out to traditionally underserved communities in public engagement efforts DOA, Local govt DOA, Health, Local govt DOA, Local govt 1 Percent change of per-capita bicycle facility funding (federal and state funding) in each county () 2 Percent change in the dollars spent for bicycle facility improvements and programs in traditionally underserved neighborhoods (DOA) 3 Percent of residents in traditionally underserved neighborhoods using a bicycle for transportation or recreation (likely via surveys) (DOA) * In the context of the Bicycle Mobility Plan, underserved communities includes neighborhoods and groups of people who are lower income and frequently more dependent on transit, bicycling and walking than the Rhode Island average. BICYCLE MOBILITY PLAN 5
OBJECTIVE RHODE ISLAND MOVING FORWARD GOAL 5 INCREASE BICYCLE SAFETY WITH POLICIES AND PROGRAMS GOAL 5 PERFORMANCE MEASURES 5.1 Eliminate bicycle-related fatalities and collisions through increased use of traffic calming facilities and motor vehicle speed enforcement 5.2 Support third-party bicycle safety and education efforts especially Smart Cycling curriculum with funding and organizational capacity 5.3 Develop a statewide driver re-education campaign aimed at improving behavior around bicyclists and understanding of bicyclists rights on the road; these changes should lead to a revised version of both the driver s manual and the driver s exam 5.4 Work with state and local police to train officers on safe bicycling practices and current laws related to bicycling 5.5 Work with state and local police to ensure strict enforcement of roadway laws related to bicycling 5.6 Continue the use of the statewide online input map in order to track the location of near-misses and other incidents indefinitely RIDOT, Police, Local govt RIDOT, RI DMV State and local police State and local police 1 Reduction in the total number of fatalities, injury crashes and non-injury crashes (RIDOT, State and local police) 2 Number of bicycle safety and education classes held by statewide and local advocacy groups, and number of participants (, Advocacy groups) 3 Funding level for bicycle safety education programs () 4 Increase in the percentage of police officers going through training programs related to bicycle laws and safety (State and local police) 5 Increase in the number of fines given to motorists based on traffic violations related to driver s behavior around bicyclists (State and local police) DOA 6
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVE GOAL 6 LEVERAGE BICYCLING TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL 6 PERFORMANCE MEASURES 6.1 Conduct an economic impact study to better-understand how bicycling impacts Rhode Island with a focus on the impact of a bicycle tourism promotional campaign 6.2 Develop guidelines for municipalities to develop bicycle parking codes for new/rehabbed buildings 6.3 Enable local delivery service by human-powered vehicles through new bicycle facilities, parking zones and other incentives as an alternative to deliveries by large trucks, especially in dense urban areas 6.4 Promote more applicants for the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) Bicycle Friendly America program in order to appeal to businesses looking to locate in bicyclefriendly cities and towns 6.5 Recruit additional businesses related to the bicycle industry (e.g. bicycle builders, equipment manufacturers, bicycle-related apps, apparel companies, etc.) who will help strengthen bike culture and advocacy 6.6 Encourage municipalities to conduct before and after studies of new bicycle facilities to measure effectiveness 6.7 Track progress and impact of Goal #6 through Performance Measures (1) Establish baseline and track increases in economic impact of bicycling (2) Increase in the number and level of designated LAB bicycle friendly communities, bicycle friendly businesses and bicycle friendly universities (3) Number of employees working for businesses related to the bicycling industry DOA, RI Tourism DOA, Local govt DOA, Local govt DOA, Local govt DOA, RI Commerce DOA, RIDOT DOA, RI Tourism, RI Commerce DOA RI Commerce 1 Establish baseline and track increases in economic impact of bicycling (DOA, RI Tourism, RI Commerce) 2 Increase in the number and level of designated LAB bicycle friendly communities, bicycle friendly businesses and bicycle friendly universities (DOA) 3 Number of employees working for businesses related to the bicycling industry (RI Commerce) BICYCLE MOBILITY PLAN 7
OBJECTIVE RHODE ISLAND MOVING FORWARD GOAL 7 IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH BIKING GOAL 7 PERFORMANCE MEASURES 7.1 Enable residents and visitors to meet the CDC s recommended physical activity guidelines* through casual bicycle use 7.2 Partner with local organizations and Health Equity Zones to promote bicycling for personal and public health using public education campaigns 7.3 Partner with public health organizations and officials to identify data needs to measure the impacts of cycling on community health 7.4 Incorporate questions about bicycle activity in statewide surveys, such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 7.5 Expand the number and scope of programs that educate students about bicycle safety in all schools 7.6 Estimate reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as a result of bicycling and provide emissions goals with accompanying modeshift estimates 1 Rate of physical activity (exercise) reported in the BRFSS (RI DOH) RI DOH RI DOH, Local govt RI DOH, Local govt RI DOH DOA, Dept of Education RIDOT, RI DEM 2 Number of adult residents participating in bicycle education programs (DOA, Advocacy groups) 3 Percentage increase of K-12 students involved in a bicycle safety event annually (Dept of Education) 4 Estimated reduction in GHG emissions and VMT (DEM) * Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/ prevention/policies_practices/physical_activity/guidelines.htm 8
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVE GOAL 8 PROMOTE BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION FOR STATE OF RHODE ISLAND EMPLOYEES GOAL 8 PERFORMANCE MEASURES 8.1 Create bicycle parking at all state-owned buildings, with a minimum of 50% secure and covered 8.2 Offer lockers rooms and showers for bicycle commuters in state-owned buildings with >50 employees 8.3 In communities with bike share programs, include a station or kiosk at state-owned buildings with >50 employees 8.4 Incorporate TDM programs that offer financial incentives for state employees to bicycle to work (e.g. bicycle maintenance rebates, regular bike commuter stipends, or free/reduced bike share memberships) RI State Facilities Management (DOA) RI State Facilities Management (DOA) DOA, local gov t 1 Total number of short-term bicycle parking spaces at state-owned buildings and other facilities (RI State Facilities Management [DOA]) 2 Total number of secure, long-term bicycle parking spaces at state-owned buildings and other facilities (RI State Facilities Management [DOA]) 3 Number of state-owned buildings that offer locker and shower facilities to bicycle commuters (RI State Facilities Management [DOA]) DOA BICYCLE MOBILITY PLAN 9