Bicycle friendly in DFWHow bike friendly programs can benefitNorth Texas communities

Mansfield Rotary ClubOctober 26, 2010Marc Mumby, PresidentBikeDFW

www.bikedfw.org

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What does “bike friendly” mean?A bicycle friendly community

welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation

Increased bicycling is part of a larger trend toward urban renewal and livable cities.

Bicyclists are an indicator of a healthy, vibrant community that offers improved quality of life for families

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Benefits to communities

Improved environmentReduced congestionIncrease public safetyEnhance recreational

opportunitiesImprove public healthSave city fundsIt’s green

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TransportationRecreationAir qualityLivable communitiesHabitat preservationStorm water management

Bike facilities serve multiple objectives

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Bicycle tourismFund raising rides and ralliesLocal bike industry contributes to

economy

Benefits to local economies

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Home buyers want quality of lifeBusinesses want quality of life for

employeesBiking and walking facilities are

strong indicators for quality of life

Improved quality of life promotes economic development

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What’s involved?

People with vision and commitment

Community supportA Bike PlanAdoption of Bike Plan into the

city Master PlanImplementation

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Shared-use paths

Photo: Dan Burden, Walkable and Livable Communities Institute

Pedestrians and cyclists use a shared path that parallels the road

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Bike lanes

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Cycle tracksA bike lane physically separated from vehicle lanes and sidewalks

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Cycle tracks

A cycle track on 9th Avenue in New York City

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Shared lanes

Photo: Bike Pittsburgh

A shared lane arrow (sharrow)

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Complete Streets Initiatives Complete streets are designed and operated to enable

safe access for all users. ◦ Pedestrians

◦ Bicyclists

◦ Motorists

◦ Transit riders

Creating complete streets means transportation agencies must change their orientation toward building primarily for cars.

Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation agencies routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users.

Complete Streets policies adopted by 24 state governments

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Complete streets

photo by Dan Burden, Walkable & Livable Communities Institute

Main Street, Hamburg, New York

Welcoming to all users

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Complete streets

A multi-modal intersection

Easy negotiation of intersections - good striping, curbs, and signals

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Road diets

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Road diets

Photo: Charmeck.org

Formerly a busy four-lane road, Charlotte, NC

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Bike friendly policies and complete streets initiatives improve the quality of life in our communities

When done properly, bike facilities provide an economic benefit

Lots of options for bike-friendly facilities

Conclusions

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BikeDFW – www.bikedfw.orgNCTCOG –

www.nctcog.org/trans/sustdevBike Texas – www.biketexas.orgLeague of American Bicyclists –

www.bikeleague.orgComplete Streets Coalition –

www.completestreets.orgRails to Trails Conservancy –

www.railtrails.org

Resources