Des Moines Bicycle and TrailsMaster Plan

TAC Meeting #1

June 18th, 2009

Project Work Plan

• Final Product: Long-Range Bicycle Network Master Plan

• Existing Conditions/Opportunities-and-Constraints

• Safety and Needs Assessment

• Recommended Bike Network

• Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Evaluation strategies

• Funding and Implementation

• Draft and Final Plan

Build on Previous/CurrentPlanning Efforts

• 2006 - City applies for bicycle friendly community designation and is rejected

• 2007 – Council adopted goals to become a bicycle friendly community – conducting a bicycle and trails master plan is a key goal

• 2008 – Council adopts a complete streets policy

• 2009 – Alta is hired by City to conduct master plan

Bicycle Facilities

Bike lanes

Shared roadways

• Wide outside lanes

• Shared lane markings

• Bicycle Boulevards

Shared use paths

Bicyclist Types – For Whom do we Plan?

• Strong and fearless

• Enthusiastic and confident

• Interested but concerned

• No way, no how

The Bicyclist

How much space needed?

• 2-ft. wide handle bars

• 1-ft. “buffer” on each side

• Total: At least 4 ft.

Bicycle Facilities – How to Select?

Numerous factors:

• Road type (arterial, local street, etc.)

• Traffic volumes

• Speeds

• Traffic mix (e.g., trucks, buses, etc.)

• Expected users – skill, age, volume, destinations

• Road conditions, space, intersections, parking demand

Bicycle Facilities – Bike Lanes

• Install with new roadway

• Pave shoulder/widen road

• Reduce travel lane or parking lane widths

• Remove travel lanes

• Remove parking

Bicycle Facilities – Bike Lanes

Bicycle Facilities – Bike Lanes

Bicycle Facilities – Wide Outside Lanes

• Used mostly on busy (arterial) streets with insufficient room for bike lanes

• 14’ width desirable• Any wider should include a striped bike lane

Bicycle Facilities – Shared Lane Markings

• Used in numerous cities worldwide

• FHWA to adopt in 2009

Bicycle Facilities – Low Volume Streets

• Great for getting around neighborhoods

• Attract riders of all ages, confidence levels

• Not always practical for longer distances

Bicycle Facilities – Bicycle Boulevards

• Local streets modified to act as thru streets for bicyclists• Traffic calming reduces vehicle speeds & thru trips• Traffic controls give priority to thru bicycle movement• Work best in a connected grid

Bicycle Facilities – Bicycle Boulevards

Signage

Pavement Markings

Intersection

Treatments

Traffic Calming Traffic Diversion

Bicycle Facilities - Challenges

• Lack of well-defined routes

• Major streets lacking bicycle facilities

• System gaps

• Conflicts with motorists (e.g., at driveways, intersections)

• Glass, debris, obstructions in bike lanes/shoulders

• Lack of bike parking

Shared Use Paths

• Intended for pedestrians, bicyclists, other non-motorized users

• Width: 10-14’ paved

• Shy distance: 2-3’

• Overhead clearance: 8-10’

• Roadway separation: 5’ minimum

Shared Use Paths

Keys to Successful Paths

• Separate from vehicle traffic

• Scenic qualities

• Connected to land uses

• Well-designed street crossings

• Visibility

• Separate different users when necessary

• Proper maintenance

Other Infrastructure Elements

Programmatic Elements

Innovative Treatments

Thinking practical…..

….. and thinking big

Questions??