Hopeful Update on federal rumble strip policy: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/09/rumble-strip-update.html
Please find feedback on the 2011 Bicycle Friendly State ranking questionnaire for Arkansas below. The list of items represent not only lost points towards an improved ranking, but lost opportunity to make your state more bicycle-friendly. Many states that have been successful in using the BFS program, and that have moved up the ranking, have
used previous feedback as a 'to-do' list in their work to further accommodate and encourage bicycling. The League urges you to share this list with state bicycling advocates, your statewide Bicycle Advisory Committee, elected officials, other state agencies and of course other staff members of your state transportation agency.
For background information, best practices and other technical assistance on the items listed; please visit the Bicycle Friendly State Technical Assistance page.
Further understanding of all the available funding resources is crucial to continuing your work
to make your state as bicycle-friendly as possible.
Legislation
a.. Cyclists should legally be allowed to signal turns with either hand and point to the direction they intend to turn.
b.. State code should allow bicyclists to ride two abreast as recommended by the Uniform Vehicle Code.
c.. The state should allow for speed and red light running photo enforcement as a strong deterrent to this potentially deadly behavior
Infrastructure
a.. When rumble strips are installed on roadways that bicycles have legal access, there should be a policy that requires a minimum shoulder clear space of 4 feet or greater when rumbles are installed.
b.. The State DOT should use a Bicycle Level of Service or similar assessment tool, and seek to maintain a level of accommodation anywhere bicycle travel is to be expected.
c.. There is low AASHTO-compliant shared use path mileage per capita.
d.. In the fiscal year, the state had low obligation rates for bicycling in the following funding programs:
Transportation Enhancements
e.. A low percentage of the following federal funding programs is spent on bicycling
projects:
a.. Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)
b.. Transportation enhancements
c.. Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
d.. State Planning & Research (SP&R)
f.. In 2010 the state disproportionately rescinded potential funding for bicycling from the following programs:
a.. Transportation Enhancements
b.. Recreational Trails Program
g.. The state had a low amount of ARRA stimulus funds set aside for Transportation Enhancements
h.. The state should allocate state funding or generate other revenue, in addition to federal programs for bicycle, for bicycle and pedestrian projects- either to serve as match to federal-aid programs or as a stand-alone funding source.
i.. The state should use Section 4, hazard elimination and/or other highway safety funds to decrease the number of cyclist fatalities.
j.. The state should designate bike routes throughout the state that include adequate route signage and mapping.
k.. The state should provide free to low-cost maps of the state's bike route network.
l.. The state should implement signage and/or pavement markings directing cyclists along the state's bike route network.
m.. There should adopt a US Bike Route System policy, criteria, or program to address routes that cross the state.
Education & Encouragement
a.. The state should provide funding for bicycling education programs.
b.. The state should sponsor a 'Share the Road' education and outreach campaign.
c.. Bicycling should be integrated into the state's recreational programming and outreach.
d.. There should be a standard Safe Routes to School training curriculum available for all programs throughout the state.
e.. Training should be provided to all instructors of the standard Safe Routes to School training curriculum.
f.. The state driver's manual should information on the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists as well as motorists responsibilities towards sharing the road with cyclists. (This one is a mistake, as our manual does include this info)
g.. The state's driver's exam should have potential questions regarding the motorists' rights and responsibilities towards bicyclists.
h.. the state driver's CDL testing and manual should contain questions and information regarding motorists' rights and responsibilities towards bicyclists.
i.. The state should work to create a 'bicycle drivers' manual' that highlights safe cycling practices, lists state bicycle laws and is distributed statewide.
j.. Advocates in the state should work to form a professional group or coalition with dedicated staff working to improve conditions for cyclists across the state.
Evaluation & Planning
a.. The numbers of residents commuting to school and work by bike is below the national average. Advocates and agency staff should work to encourage more work trip be made by bike.
b.. The State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) should include information about bicycle ownership or use rates, and ways to continue to facilitate recreational cycling.
c.. There should be a statewide bicycle conference or summit that combines best practices in programs, infrastructure design, funding and/or advocacy campaigns.
Enforcement
a.. Bicycling enforcement should be included as a part of the overall Police Officer Standards and Training (POST).
b.. Enforcing bicycling related traffic laws and safe vehicle operation when encountering cyclists should be a police academy requirement.
c.. Proper bicycling enforcement and best practices should be a part of continuing officer training, particular those who work on traffic enforcement.
d.. Information on bicycles rights, responsibilities and safe cycling principles should be made available to traffic court judges.
__________________________
Jeff Peel
State & Local Advocacy Coordinator
League of American Bicyclists
1612 K St. N.W., Suite #510
Washington, DC 20006
202-621-5445
www.bikeleague.org
