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- i <br /> ' � . <br /> , BIKEWAYS -3- <br /> Feb. 8, 1983 <br /> 1 <br /> �. INTRODUCTION study area so as to provide for safe access to and from such <br /> facilities relative to his project. <br /> ' In order to increase the mileaqe of public roads that <br /> provide an acceptable level of service with available funds I11. DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATE <br /> and to maximize fuliy the value of existing roadways for STANDARD <br /> � bicyclists, Mn/DOT has adopted bikeway desiqn standards. <br /> Because more flexibility is provided, these standards will Determination of the appropriate standard to use on <br /> permit improvements to be made which will result in <br /> qreater uniformity of hiqhway geometrics over major a project, requires three basic evaluations. First, the major <br /> ' lenqths of roadway. These standards are based on the re• section of the route that the proposed project lies within <br /> lationship between the characteristics of the road desiqn must be identified and evaluated to determine what prob- <br /> (bicycle drivinq area) to the averaqe daily motorized able improvements will be made within the foreseeable <br /> traffic. Althouqh these bikeway standards have been de- future. Secondly, the project must take into account the <br /> ' veloped and should be used to the maximum extent possi- current and anticipated travel needs of the cyclist, land <br /> ble, as with most enqineering projects, the desiqner should use data and system continuity. Thirdly, the project stan- <br /> use enqineerinq judgement in the application of the stan- dards are selected to be compatible with the rest of the <br /> ' dards. major bikeway section. <br /> A. MAJOR BIKEWAY SECTION IDENTIFICATION <br /> ' II. DEFINITIONS <br /> A major bikeway section is defined as a principal <br /> The definition of each of these standards is as follows: travel route used by cyclists. A route of this stature is the <br /> "backbone" of a bicycling network, which may <br /> A. RURAL DESIGN BIKEWAY encompass all three bikeway designs along its lenqth and <br /> � , may serve a significant portion of a community, county, <br /> Rural design refers to any section of public road reqion or have a siqnificant influence on lonq distance <br /> that has shoulders and ditches. The relationship between travel. Ideally the desiqn selected could vary minimally <br /> ' the road desiqn and the traffic volume is particularly to avoid surprisinq the motorinq and cyclinq public by a <br /> critical. Shoulder surface and width (in addition to lane change in standards that could result in accidents. <br /> width and the number of lanes) are siqnificant factors It is not possible to specify the lenqth of a major <br /> because shouiders may be the operauonal area for cyclists <br /> � by preference (if paved and clear of debris) or serve as an bikeway section, nor would it serve any beneficial purpose. <br /> emerqency escape lane. The lenqth varies depending on the service area of the <br /> route and the presence (or lack thereof) of suitable alter- <br /> B. MUNICIPAL DESIGN BIKEWAY nate routes. It is critical, however, to undentand fully the <br /> , principal destination of cyclists, and the road desiqn at <br /> Municipal desiqn refers to all other public road sec• either end of the project termini, so as to provide a total <br /> tions within corporate limits. A municipal design roadway picture of the travel options available and the impact of <br /> , generally has curb and/or qutter on one or both sides of the project desiqn. <br /> road. Bicyclists usually do not have shoulders to ride on <br /> and parked vehicles present obstacles. Parldnq maneuvers, g. EVALUATION OF ROADWAY FOR BICYCLE <br /> open car doors and the obstruction to vision that a parked TRAVEL NEEDS <br /> ' car presents, have a negative influence on urban cyclinq. <br /> Therefore, the relationship of the bicycle drivinq area Once the project termini of the bikeway section have <br /> to traffic takes into account the road desiqn and the desiqn been determined, existinq and anticipated conditions may <br /> ' of the parking area (diagonal, parallel, no parldnq and be analyzed. The road under study must be rated (usinq <br /> various combinauons). the appropriate desiqn table) to determine whether or not <br /> it is currently providing a safe level of service to the cyclinq <br /> C. OFF-ROAD BIKEWAYS population. If the road is rated "unsatisfactory"or "poor", <br /> ' a similar analysis of parallel routes should be conducted. <br /> An off-road bikeway refers to a travel corridor sep- If there are no suitable parallel routes,it is necessary for the <br /> arated from the road structure, and specifically desiqned desiqner to study the options for upqrading this parucular <br /> for non-motorized transportation. Bikeways of this desiqn �ction to a "fair"or "qood"level. <br /> are often times implemented when a roadway cannot be <br /> enhanced to an acceptable level, and when a suitable par- The second level of study involves transportation <br /> allel route is not available. Also, this design is often used planning with the respective aqency to determine land use <br /> ' as a recreational corridor throuqh public lands. The de- proposals, principal travel trends and the population <br /> siqner should be aware of off-road bikeways in his project �rved by the proposed project. Project termini should <br />