By the end of 2014, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will release guidelines on designing protected bike lanes. Until recently, the U.S. DOT's policy on bicycling was essentially to adhere to manuals such as AASHTO's Green Book and FHWA's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
But last year, the FHWA released a new strategic plan that put an emphasis on bicyclist and pedestrian safety, and on the need to create connected walking and biking networks for all ages and abilities.
FHWA Secretary Anthony Foxx, installed in 2013, has made bicyclist and pedestrian safety a key issue of his administration. Last year, the FHWA also endorsed "design flexibility" for the first time, encouraging engineers to look to new sources for pedestrian-friendly design ideas.
Moving into the future, the agency will do even more for the issue, Streetsblog reports, starting with the FHWA manual on protected bike lanes. The guidelines will cover the pros and cons of different intersection designs, one- versus two-way lanes, and different types of protection. It will also include a call to action, urging cities to implement protected bike lanes and to collect before-and-after data when they do.
“One conclusion to draw from our effort is that, yes, separated bike lanes are part of the toolbox that you can use to create and connect bike networks,” said FHWA's Dan Goodman, “and that’s where we’re going.”
Related Stories
Transit Facilities | Feb 12, 2015
Gensler proposes network of cycle highways in London’s unused underground
Unused tube lines would host pedestrian paths, cycle routes, cultural spaces, and retail outlets.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Feb 11, 2015
11 of the nation’s best ‘Complete Streets’ policies of 2014
Austin, Texas, and Troy, N.Y., are among the cities with the strongest safe streets policies, according to a new report.
Airports | Feb 6, 2015
Zaha Hadid-designed terminal in Beijing will be world’s largest
The terminal will accommodate 45 million passengers per year, and will be a hub for both air and rail travel.
Transit Facilities | Feb 4, 2015
London mayor approves plan for a bicycle highway
The plan will guarantee bike riders a designated stretch of street to ride from east to west through the city.
| Jan 17, 2015
When is a train station not a train station? When it’s a performance venue
You can catch a train at Minneapolis’s new Target Field Station. You can also share in an experience. That’s what ‘Open Transit’ is all about.
| Jan 2, 2015
Construction put in place enjoyed healthy gains in 2014
Construction consultant FMI foresees—with some caveats—continuing growth in the office, lodging, and manufacturing sectors. But funding uncertainties raise red flags in education and healthcare.
| Dec 28, 2014
AIA course: Enhancing interior comfort while improving overall building efficacy
Providing more comfortable conditions to building occupants has become a top priority in today’s interior designs. This course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Dec 18, 2014
International Parking Institute and Green Parking Council collaborate with GBCI
The new collaboration recognizes importance of sustainable parking facility design and management to the built environment.
| Nov 18, 2014
New tool helps developers, contractors identify geographic risk for construction
The new interactive tool from Aon Risk Solutions provides real-time updates pertaining to the risk climate of municipalities across the U.S.
| Nov 3, 2014
IIT names winners of inaugural Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize
Herzog & de Meuron's iconic 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage in Miami Beach, Fla., is one of two winners of the $50,000 architectural prize.
