TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Council Member Jim Ward
SUBJECT: Resolution Directing the Town Manager to Prepare Cost Estimates to Implement a Comprehensive Bicycle Facility Signage Program and Develop an Education Program for Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Motorists
DATE:
At the
We did not have time to finish discussion of cost estimates to implement a comprehensive bicycle facility signage program and develop an educational program for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
Through this petition, I request that the Council adopt the attached resolution, which would direct the Manager to prepare cost estimates for implementing a comprehensive bicycle facility signage program and develop an educational program for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
1. September 24, 2001 Agenda Item, “Wide Outside Lanes and Bicycle Lanes: Policy for Construction of Bicycle Facilities” (p. 3).
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TOWN MANAGER TO PREPARE COST ESTIMATES TO IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE BICYCLE FACILITY SIGNAGE PROGRAM AND DEVELOP AN EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS AND MOTORISTS (2001-10-10/R-10)
WHEREAS, is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to encourage greater use of bicycles and pedestrian movement as an alternative mode of transportation; and
WHEREAS, is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to promote the safety of bicyclist and pedestrians;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council directs the Town Manager to prepare cost estimates for implementing a comprehensive bicycle facility signage program and developing an educational program for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
This the 10th day of October, 2001.
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Wide Outside Lanes and Bicycle Lanes: Policy for Construction of Bicycle Facilities
DATE: September 24, 2001
This memorandum reviews the issues of wide outside lanes and bicycle lanes and the recommendations of the Transportation Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. The memorandum also includes recommendations from the Town Manager, Transportation Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for a policy for construction of bicycle facilities. The Manager recommends adoption of Resolution A and D.
Resolution B would adopt the recommendation of the Transportation Board. Resolution C would adopt the recommendation of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.
On June 11, 2001, the Council reviewed information concerning the provision of bicycle lanes and wide outside lanes (Attachment 1). The Council also reviewed the recommendations of the Transportation Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. On June 11, 2001 the Council requested that the Transportation Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Board meet to resolve differences in their recommendations.
In July 2001, the Chairs of the Transportation Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board met to discuss the positions of their respective Boards. While the Chairs identified several areas of agreement, the Boards continue to disagree over the fundamental issue of whether bicycle lanes or wide outside lanes should be used as the standard design for improvements on arterial and collector streets.
The Transportation Board (Attachment 2): The Transportation Board did not revise their previous recommendation that the Town should implement bicycle lanes. The Board did suggest that bicycle lanes may not be appropriate in certain situations. The Board also added recommendations that bicycle lanes should be kept free of debris, and driveways marked to reduce the risk of collisions. They also suggested that the Town implement a comprehensive signage program and an educational program for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (Attachment 3): The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board did not revise their previous recommendation, which recommends that wide outside lanes rather than bicycle lanes be included as the standard design in new roadway construction.
In addition to the comments of the Transportation Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board the Town received a letter from Mr. Joseph Lowman commenting on the need for bicycle facilities (Attachment 4).
We believe the Town should reaffirm the policy included in the 2000 Comprehensive Plan to pursue the construction of bicycle lanes on arterial and collector streets within the community. This policy is intended to accommodate existing bicyclists and to encourage more individuals to use bicycles on a regular basis, particularly for commuting to work or school.
We believe that wide outside lanes should be provided on local and those collector streets that have low speed limits and traffic volumes. Bicycle lanes would be appropriate for collector streets with higher speeds or traffic volumes. In cases where the Council wished to minimize the impact of arterial roadway widenings on adjacent properties wide outside lanes could be included in these projects.
We believe that developing a comprehensive signage program and an educational program for pedestrians, bicyclists and automobile drivers would be useful but should be considered outside the context of developing a policy on bicycle facility design. We suggest that the Council direct the Manager to determine the cost of developing and implementing a comprehensive signage program and education program for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. This information would be presented to the Council for their consideration.
While we agree that bicycle lanes should maintained, we believe that legal liability issues restrict the Town’s ability to guarantee that bicycle lanes can be kept free of debris at all times.
Transportation Board Recommendation: The Board met on August 7, 2001 and voted 6-0 to recommend that the Council approve the following policies (Attachment 2):
The Board also recommended that the Town Manager be directed to incorporate this policy in all design guidelines used by the Town to construct or improve roadways
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (Attachment 3): The Board met on May 22, 2001 and voted 5-1 to recommend that the Council consider the comments and recommendations contained in the May 22, 2001 Board memorandum. The Board has not revised this recommendation.
The May 22, 2001 memorandum recommended that wide outside lanes should be adopted as the Town’s standard bicycle facility treatment. The Board also proposed the following criteria for implementation of bicycle lanes:
· Roads with 35 mph and 45 mph speed limits
· Intersections are minimal, with limited cross traffic
· Few driveway cuts
· Limited turning movements
· Descents with high speeds (>25 mph) are not an issue
· Commitment to keep bicycle lanes free of debris
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt Resolution A, setting a policy to pursue the construction of bicycle lanes on arterial and collector roads in Chapel Hill. We continue to believe that the provision of bicycle lanes, where appropriate, can encourage more people to use bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation. We believe that Resolution A addresses the concerns raised by Mr. Lowman.
We also recommend adoption of Resolution D, which directs the Town Manager to prepare cost estimates for the development of a educational program for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorist and the implementation of a comprehensive signage program indicating bike routes and lane sharing.
Resolution B would approve a policy for bicycle facility construction that incorporates the Transportation Board recommendations.
Resolution C would approve a policy for bicycle facility construction that incorporates the criteria defined by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
RESOLUTION A
(Manager’s Recommendation)
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLE FACILITIES WITHIN THE TOWN (2001-09-24/R-12a)
WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to accommodate the needs of existing bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to encourage greater use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation; and
WHEREAS, research indicates that the provision of bicycle lanes and paths would encourage greater use of bicycles by casual and new bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Plan includes the objective “develop and maintain a system of safe and efficient bikeways (on-street bike lanes and off-street paths within greenways) designed to contribute to Town-wide mobility, connecting neighborhoods with activity centers, schools, parks, and other neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan recommends the Town “adopt revised roadway standards incorporating on-street bikelanes, including a commitment to install bike lanes in roadway resurfacing projects where feasible”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, that the Town Council adopts the following policy:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs the Manager to incorporate this policy in all design guidelines used by the Town to construct or improve roadways.
This the 24th day of September, 2001.
RESOLUTION B
(Transportation Board Recommendation)
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLE FACILITIES WITHIN THE TOWN (2001-09-24/R-12b)
WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to accommodate the needs of existing bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to encourage greater use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation; and
WHEREAS, research indicates that the provision of bicycle lanes and paths would encourage greater use of bicycles by casual and new bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Plan includes the objective “develop and maintain a system of safe and efficient bikeways (on-street bike lanes and off-street paths within greenways) designed to contribute to Town-wide mobility, connecting neighborhoods with activity centers, schools, parks, and other neighborhoods”;
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan recommends the Town “adopt revised roadway standards incorporating on-street bikelanes, including a commitment to install bike lanes in roadway resurfacing projects where feasible”.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, that the Town Council adopts the following policy:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs the Manager to incorporate this policy in all design guidelines used by the Town to construct or improve roadways.
This the 24thth day of September, 2001.
RESOLUTION C
(Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board Recommendation)
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BICYCLE FACILITIES WITHIN THE TOWN (2001-09-24/R-12c)
WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to accommodate the needs of existing bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to encourage greater use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Plan includes the objective “develop and maintain a system of safe and efficient bikeways (on-street bike lanes and off-street paths within greenways) designed to contribute to Town-wide mobility, connecting neighborhoods with activity centers, schools, parks, and other neighborhoods”; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan recommends the Town “adopt revised roadway standards incorporating on-street bikelanes, including a commitment to install bike lanes in roadway resurfacing projects where feasible:’
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, that the Town Council adopts the following policy:
- Roads with 35 mph and 45 mph speed limits
- Intersections are minimal, with limited cross traffic
- Few driveway cuts
- Limited turning movements
- Descents with high speeds (>25 mph) are not an issue
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council directs the Manager to incorporate this policy in all design guidelines used by the Town to construct or improve roadways.
This the 24th day of September, 2001.
Amended 9-25-01.
RESOLUTION D
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TOWN MANAGER TO PREPARE COST ESTIMATES TO IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE BICYCLE FACILITY SIGNAGE PROGRAM AND DEVELOP AN EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS AND MOTORISTS (2001-09-24/R-12d)
WHEREAS, is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to encourage greater use of bicycles and pedestrian movement as an alternative mode of transportation; and
WHEREAS, is the goal of the Town of Chapel Hill to promote the safety of bicyclist and pedestrians;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, that the Council directs the Town Manager to prepare cost estimates for implementing a comprehensive bicycle facility signage program and developing an educational program for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.
This the 24th day of September, 2001.