by Kenzie Gleason (and all the other people

in Lexington who are making

IT happen)

A Bicycle-Friendly Community Lexington’s Story

Photo: Boyd Shearer

A Bicycle-Friendly Community Lexington’s StoryLexington:

“Horse Capital of the World”

Central Kentucky /Bluegrass Region

Population300,000

85 Sq miles UrbanTotal 285 Sq miles

Lexington: “Horse Capital of the World”

Central Kentucky is known for …

Urban Growth Boundary (1958)Merged Govt (1970’s)

Horse FarmsKeeneland

Central Kentucky is known for…

Central Kentucky is known for…

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2009

No Data <10% 10%–14%

15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Central Kentucky is known for…

Central Kentucky is known for…???

How did we get here?

Slow beginnings…• Decades old bike route/lanes• Projects struggling to get off ground• Greenway Master Plan adopted• Road Diet implemented• Bike/Ped Coordinator position created

Some successes & momentum• Bike/walk accommodation in road construction • Bike lanes in resurfacing projects• Trail construction• Bike/ped plan adopted• Community events• Partnerships

Vocal minority vs Silent majority

• Parks & Rec Survey

• Realtor Survey• Transportation

Surveys• Public Meetings• Political Races

Getting the Green Light

• Marketing• Economic

Development

• Tried & Failed• Next Steps• Bike Summit

Bike Summit

Political leadership

Advocates Govt Agencies

‘You Should’ to ‘We Should’

PARTNERSHIPS

Bike Summit Priorities

15 Key Initiatives

FacilitiesEducation/EncouragementPolicy & Evaluation

Mayor’s Bike Task Force (citizen-based)Silver in 2010?

FACILITIES

• Rural Bike Routes• Share the Road Signs• Rural Rail Trail• Mountain Bike Trails

FACILITIESFACILITIES

• North-South Cross-Town Trail

• Downtown / Campus Connections

FACILITIES

Legacy Trail

• 11 mile trail– $10 million project– 3 years start to finish

Legacy Trail

Connects Urban Core to Rural Fayette County & Kentucky Horse Park (no riverfront)

Revitalization

Preservation Art

Environment History

Lexington’s Story

Legacy Trail Opening

Getting people on bikes…7,000+ including the Mayor, Governor,

House Rep., Commissioner of Public Works

Streetscape Project

The Vine Street Story….

Streetscape ProjectThen…IfNow…Where…How?

Streetscape Plan / ProjectS Limestone St, Vine St, Main St

$30million +

Existing Bike Facilities

Bike Lane 23mi

Paved Shoulder 27mi

Signed Route 4mi

Shared Use Trail 22mi

Funded Bike Facilities

Bike Lane 17mi

Paved Shoulder 3mi

Signed Route 4mi

Shared Use Trail 16mi

Active Project

25 MilesUnder StudyDesignGrant ApplicationNeighborhood Mtgs

The Near(er) Future?

Policy & Evaluation

• Complete Streets• Revised Traffic

Ordinances• Bike/Ped Counts

UK CORDON COUNT

38% increase in bicycle use into/out of campus

150 to 200% increase along streets with bike lanes

Education & Encouragement

• Professional Training• Safe Routes to School• Communication Campaign• Share the Road Campaign

PARTNERSHIPS Who is best for the job???

Share the Road Campaign

Police liaison, banners, billboards, info cards, garages, parking permits, bike lights, t-shirts, radio, kid produced PSAs

Education / Encouragement

Community Bike Events• Bike Lexington• Bike Month

– 80 events– Commuter Challenge

• 80 businesses• 1 month• 15,000 miles

Progressive DinnersBike EdBike ClinicsBike CampingAdvocacy BreakfastsHorsey HundredBike BashParades

Photos Courtesy of Brian Turner

Education / EncouragementCyclovia!! Statewide!!

Monthly 2S RidesShowcases bike lanes / trails

Photos Courtesy of Brian Turner

Building the Culture…Bike Polo

Dedicated City Court Bluegrass state gamesRegional Tournaments

Building the Culture…Bike Polo

Building the Culture . . .UK “Wildcat Wheels” Program

Campus bike shop, Yellow bikes, Blue bikes, Education,Bike to work programs, Bike Facilities

Building the Culture . . .”Yellow Bikes”

80 BikesProvided by Private Businesses &Downtown Lexington corporation

Building the Culture . . .Pedicabs

Building the Culture . . .”Bike Prom”

Organized by / benefits:Living Arts & Sciences Center

Building the Culture…Alley Cats…Scavenger Rides/Races

Organized by:No one

SomeoneEveryone

Shifting GearsShifting GearsBuilding the Culture…”Shifting Gears”