Bicycle Master Plan for Greenville, SC Presentation to City Council June 13, 2011 In collaboration with: Alta Planning + Design Fuss & O Neill Darrohn Engineering DNA Creative
Bicycle Master Plan Advisory Committee Stacey Ashmore Greenville Family Partnership Elise Dunbar Heritage Neighborhood Stephen Edgerton Caine Company Nancy Fitzer Upstate Forever Ronnie Hyatt Bon Secours St. Francis Health System Scott McCrary Greenville Spinners Yvonne Reeder Nicholtown Neighborhood President Keith Brockington GPATS Greg Baney Greenlink Sgt. J.R. Long Greenville Police Jennifer Rigby, City of Greenville Planning Wil Ravenhorst, City of Greenville Engineering Andrew Meeker, City of Greenville Parks & Recreation Brian Graham, City of Greenville Parks & Recreation
Why Develop a Bicycle Master Plan? Quality of Life Plan it Greenville Implementation Strategy 2009 Develop a pedestrian and bike infrastructure plan
Bicycle Master Plan Process Winter 2009 2010 Funding for master plan appropriated by Greenville Pickens Area Transportation Study (GPATS $80,000) and City ($20,000) Fall 2010 Project Kick Off September 2, 2010 Review existing plans Determine existing conditions Learn from community input/pac Meetings Establish vision and goals Winter 2010/2011 Review City programs, policies and institutional support/additional PAC meetings Meet with SCDOT Develop preliminary recommendations Gather additional community input Spring 2011 Finalize recommendations Present to City Council & GPATS
VISION, GOALS, OBJECTIVES Greenville, SC The Vision of the Bicycle Master Plan is to expand the existing bikeway network, complete gaps, provide greater connectivity while educating and encouraging bicycling. The Plan takes a comprehensive approach to the Six E s of a Bicycle Friendly Community Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, Evaluation, and Equity. from Executive Summary
Policy Support for Vision, Goals and Objectives: Bicycle Friendly Community Action Plan Resolution 2006 2006 2011 Park Facilities Master Plan 2006 More walking and cycling trails as the top major way to improve the Parks & Rec System Complete Streets Resolution 2008 Bicycling and pedestrian movements are an integral part of the City s transportation planning and programming Plan for, design, construct and operate all new City transportation improvement projects to provide appropriate accommodation for all users (to the extent appropriate and feasible) Integrate Complete Streets principles with transportation planning Bicycle Parking Ordinance 2008
Planning Support BMP Vision, Goals and Objectives: City Comprehensive Plan (Plan It Greenville) 2009 Encourage walking or biking to increase activity, reduce traffic congestion, and reduce carbon footprints 84% of survey respondents cite greenways/bike paths as important 76% of survey respondents agree with requiring bike paths and trails in new development Transit Vision & Master Plan 2010 Prioritize bicycle linkages and outdoor recreational opportunities near or adjacent to transit corridors Encourage land use and transportation activities that positively impact land, air, and water quality Greenville Forward: Vision 2025 (Greenville Chamber of Commerce) 2005 A healthy Greenville is supported by programs for community health bikeway and walkway networks, and a collaborative healthy system.
Bike Plan Vision Elements: national framework for improving the bicycling environment Engineering: An Inviting Network of Bicycling Facilities for Cyclists of All Ages and Abilities and Destinations that Support Bicycling Education: Community Understanding and Respect for the Role and Responsibilities of Cyclists Encouragement: Increased Bicycle Ridership and Support for a Strong Bicycle Advocacy Community and Bicycle Culture Enforcement: A Safer Environment for Cyclists and Other Transport Modes Evaluation & Planning: Institutional Support and Collaboration for Bicycling Equity: A Community that Serves a Diverse Population and Provides for the Needs of Those who Ride Out of Necessity, as Well as Those who Choose to Cycle
Overview Analysis & Public Outreach
Types of Cyclists... A: Strong and fearless B: Enthused and confident D: No way, no how C: Interested but concerned
Barriers to Bicycling in Greenville Combined results of the public survey, stakeholder interviews, and analysis of Greenville roadways and land uses suggest that: The roadway network constricts neighborhoods as islands, due to an overall lack of safe, convenient connections. There is a need for more bicycle facilities on the roadway network and bicycle parking. There is a need for better access to information about safely and conveniently bicycling in Greenville. Local residents are affected by aggressive driver behavior and/or high volumes and speeds of traffic on major roadways. Topography plays a part in Greenville bike ability
Bike Count Results 36 locations 1 Weekday AM & 1 Saturday AM 2 hours each day 1,100+ bicyclists Male (76%) Helmet (64%) < 40% on sidewalk More on weekend 79% of total count Most cyclists counted near existing bikeway network
Bike Suitability Analysis Based on: Speeds Volumes of motor vehicles % Trucks Number of Lanes The bike network is currently concentrated in the urban core of Greenville. Limited connectivity to the East.
Infrastructure: Corridors Public Survey: Highest Ranked Corridors Needing Improvement Rank Corridor 1 Augusta Street 2 Laurens Road 3 Pleasantburg Drive 4 Stone Avenue 5 North Main Street Corridors with the highest incidence of bicycle collisions: Augusta Street Laurens Road Pendleton Street
CYCLE ZONE ANALYSIS Rating of current bikeability based on: Roadway and Bikeway Density Roadway and Bikeway Connectivity Destinations public facilities, commercial land uses Barriers highways, railroads, roadway slopes over five percent
Survey: Preferred Bikeway Facilities 1. Paved Off Street Bike Paths 2. Bike Lanes on Major Streets 3. Bike Boulevard/ Bike Route
Engineering: Existing Bikeways EXISTING: Bike Lanes 13.4 miles Greenways 8+ miles Bike Routes 2.3 miles 400 miles of roadways in Greenville; Of that, 13.4 miles has an existing bike facility (3.3%)
Bicycle Crash Analysis (2005-2010):GPD and SCDPS 65 reported collisions 2 fatalities 60% fault of bicyclists Mostly on arterials Concentrated in afternoon (37% between Noon 3pm) Bicyclist Median Age: 36 Peaks: April + October Need on going tracking Need education and facilities for safety
Public Outreach Strategies Plan Advisory Committee 2 Public Meetings Survey (690 responses) Website: interactive map Press releases Project Newsletter Bikeville e newsletter Coordination w/ partners (SCDOT, GPD, Bike shops, etc.)
Survey: Community Identified Priorities The most important benefit of bicycling is improved public health. The most important destinations to bicycle to in Greenville are: 1. Greenways and parks 2. Places of work Physical improvements that will influence bicycle ridership: 1. Paved off street bike paths (greenway trails) 2. More bike lanes on major streets 3. Bicycle boulevards/bike routes The most important programs & resources for Greenville are: 1. Bicycle maps and guides 2. Materials describing bicyclists rights and responsibilities 3. Bicycling incentives programs at work and school
ENGINEERING: AN INVITING NETWORK OF BICYCLING FACILITIES FOR CYCLISTS ALL AGES AND ABILITIES AND DESTINATIONS THAT SUPPORT BICYCLING Draft NETWORK RECOMMENDATIONS
Proposed Bikeways Based on: Public Input PAC input Previous plans: Greenway Plan GPATS Long Range Transportation Plan Downtown Streetscape Master Plan Area plans Existing opportunities, needs, destinations, collision analysis, etc.
Priority Matrix for Bikeway Implementation Bikeways are ranked based on weighted values for: Safety Needs/Crash History School Access Transit Access Connectivity to Existing Bikeways Gaps in Existing Bikeway Network Destinations for Bicyclists Cycle Zone Analysis (identifying potential for bicycling activity) Ease of Implementation Primary Bike Route Continuity Special Emphasis Neighborhoods
Engineering: Proposed Bikeways EXISTING: Bike Lanes 13.4 miles Greenways 8+ miles Bike Routes 2.3 miles PROPOSED: Bike Lanes 65 miles Greenways 7 miles Bike Routes 51 miles Shared Lanes 23 miles (50+ in Greenway Plan) ( Bike Boulevards )
Bike Routes and Wayfinding
Projects with highest score for each facility type: Bike Lane: 1. Laurens Road (5.67 miles) and McDaniel Avenue (0.38 miles) 2. Pleasantburg Drive (5.52 miles) 3. Pendleton Street (0.43 miles) 4. Augusta Street (0.77 miles) 5. Rutherford Road (2.39 miles) Bike Routes: 1. Cleveirvine Ave Haviland Ave Nicholtown Rd Alameda St Rebecca St (0.81 miles) 2. Alameda Street Hilton Street (0.57 miles) 3. Mulberry Street Willard Street Cain Street (1.05 miles) Greenways: 1. Beattie Place (0.68 miles) 2. Richland Way (0.24 miles) 3. BRT Trail (4.38 miles) Sharrows: 1. Hudson Street (1.35 miles) 2. Broad Street Butler Avenue (0.81 miles) 3. Cleveland Street (1.05 miles) 4. North Street (0.53 miles)
Engineering: Bikeway Costs $60,000+/lane mile (or $0.95+/sq. ft.) for resurfacing a road $8,000+/mi. for adding bike stencils to a road resurfacing project $6,500+/mile for Sharrows $250K+/mi. widening $200K $1Million/mile $2,000 $75,000/mile Bike Lanes 65 miles Greenways 7 miles Bike Routes 51 miles Shared Lanes 23 miles (50+ in Greenway Plan) ( Bike Boulevards )
Draft NON-INFRASTRUCTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
EDUCATION Community Understanding and Respect for the Role and Responsibilities of Cyclists Recommendations: Adult Bicycling Skills Classes Senior Bicycling Education Classes Youth Bicycle Safety Classes Family Day/Family Bicycle Classes Bicycle Safety Campaign
ENCOURAGEMENT Increased Bicycle Ridership and Support for a Strong Bicycle Advocacy Community and Bicycle Culture Recommendations: Develop a City Bicycle Map Establish One Stop Bicycle Information Website Expand Safe Routes to School Program Continue/Expand Bike Month Activities Implement the Bike Station facility Host Car free Street Events Playstreets Promote Bicycle Friendly Business Program Implement a Bicycle Sharing System
ENFORCEMENT A Safer Environment for Cyclists and Other Transport Modes Recommendations: Continue and Expand Downtown Bicycle Patrol Use Speed Feedback Signs for Improving Bicycling Areas Identify a strategy for enforcement Diversion Classes for Motorists and Bicyclists (Offered to firsttime offenders.)
EVALUATION & Planning Institutional Support and Collaboration for Bicycling Recommendations: Conduct Annual Bicycle Counts Pre and Post Road Diet Traffic and Safety Analysis Systemize Annual Traffic Collision Analysis Create a Bicycle Planner Staff Position Establish Permanent Bicycle Advisory Committee Policies to support long term bicycle parking and bicycle parking at special events.
E. North Complete Street Project Results: Motor vehicle volumes: Decreased by 300 Cars Per Day 2009 10,000 cars per day 2011 9,700 cars per day Result = Capacity Unaffected Motor vehicle speeds: Posted Speed Limit = 35 mph 2009 average: 38.4 mph 2011 average: 32.6 mph 2009 85 th % tile: 44.9 mph 2011 85 th % tile: 37.6 mph Result = Design Speed now Equals Posted Speed before after Crashes: staff plans to evaluate once annual averages and stats are available via GPD.
EQUITY A Community that Serves a Diverse Population and Provides for the Needs of Those who Ride Out of Necessity, as Well as Those who Choose to Cycle Recommendation: Incorporate equity principles into each recommended action of the other Five E s
City Council Next Steps: Receive City Council Input Amend plan based on City Council Input City Council adoption of the final master plan Implement the highest priority item within each of the Six E s: Engineering: Prioritize high priority, low hanging fruit projects: Connections/Sharrows Start with high priority, low cost projects: Bike Boulevards/Bike Routes Coordinate with road resurfacing schedules: City, County, State Initiate discussions with County and SCDOT Education: Launch a Bicycle Safety Campaign for all ages Encouragement: Develop Bicycle Maps and Guides Enforcement: Use Speed Feedback Signs to Improve Safety of Bikeways Evaluation: Ongoing analysis of project opportunities/successes/challenges Seek grant funds for consultant or hire a multi modal transportation planner Equity: Equitably distribute bicycling investments Fund capital projects related to bikeways
QUESTIONS In collaboration with: Alta Planning + Design Fuss & O Neill Darrohn Engineering DNA Creative