Arlington County Board provides input to Transportation Plan's Bicycle Element, request Vision Zero options

The work of drafting a new Arlington County Master Transportation Plan, and more specifically the Bicycle Element of that continues.  You can see the most recent draft, from late November, here and the last post on the MTP here. 

Since then, the working group has met, performed a survey of measures and targets from similar community plans and met with other groups including the County Board. 

Some of the highlights:

• The working group recommended adding implementation statements encouraging and supporting bicycle races as a means to raise bicycling visibility, and creating guidelines for contractors to use when building near or in bikeways. Another policy recommendation is to add a statement that staff resources and expertise be developed for the proper design and upkeep of trails. 
• The review of measures from other cities show a lot of similar ideas (reducing crashes and injuries, eliminating traffic deaths, increased cycling etc..) with a few unique ones. 
  • Increase the population within ¼ mile of a low-stress bicycle route from 17% to 80% (Ft Collins)
  • Provide an All Ages and Abilities bicycle route with ½ mile of 50% of households, workplaces and destinations by 2020. 100% by 2035. (Austin)
  • Increase percentage of female bicycle commuters from 35% to 50% (Ft Collins)
  • Five new public shower/locker facilities by 2020 (Minneapolis)
  • Target bicycle theft enforcement at 5 locations per year by 2015 (Minneapolis)
  • Annually track the percentage of maintenance requests related to bicycle issues that are addressed (Alexandria)
• In meetings with other groups, there were a lot of suggestions and comments, all captured here - in no particular order. 
  • Interest in Vision Zero policy. Should be comprehensive, but can mention it in Bike Element.
  • Come back to Board with options and recommendations for VZ.
  • When prioritizing projects need to distinguish between big projects and opportunities like street repaving.
  • Performance measures need to be weighted towards safety and comfort. Fewer injuries. See FHWA guidance on performance measures.
  • Look at what peer cities say about the percent of their total streets that should include bicycle lanes
  • say more about the benefits of bicycling
  • reference recreational bicycling more
  • try permeable asphalt 
  • conduct more safety education

The next meeting is scheduled for January 25th.