The U.S Bike Route System: Route Designation & Implementation

Route Designation & Implementation September 11, 2014

THE U.S. BIKE ROUTE SYSTEM

Credit: Troy Hearn Credit: Troy Hearn Credit: Tom Huber

@tooledesign

• Survey of State Coordinators

• What is keeping states from implementing routes?

• What roadblocks do they face?

• What are good models to move implementation forward?

• Best practices case studies

Credit: Kerry Irons

The U.S. Bike Route System: Route Designation & Implementation Pro Walk / Pro Bike / Pro Place 2014

• Surveyed all State DOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators

• Very high response rate (48 of 50)

• Survey followed with interviews about particularly good practices

• Also surveyed a handful of advocates and volunteers

• Follow-up interviews also conducted

Credit: Troy Hearn


• How aware are you of the U.S. Bike Route System?

Credit: Troy Hearn

The U.S. Bike Route System: Route Designation & Implementation

Very aware of the system

83%

Somewhat aware of the

system 17%

Pro Walk / Pro Bike / Pro Place 2014

• How aware are you of the tools and resources for designating a USBR on the Adventure Cycling website?

Credit: Troy Hearn


Very aware 43%

Somewhat aware 36%

Vaguely aware 13%

Not at all aware 8%


• Has any work been done to implement a USBR in your state?

Credit: Troy Hearn


Yes, there has been at least some level of

work 81%

No work has been done

19%


• You indicated that no work has been done to plan or implement a USBR in your state. Please indicate why you believe this is. Check all that apply.

Credit: Troy Hearn


13%

63%

13%

38%

38%

25%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

There is no support from the DOT

There is little awareness about the USBRS by the DOT

There is little awareness about the USBRS by bicycle advocacy groups

There is not a strong push from advocacy groups to move project planning forward

We like the idea of the USBRS, but it is a low priority

Other (please describe):


• You indicated that there has been at least some level of work to plan or implement a USBR in your state. Please indicate what steps have been taken. Check all that apply.

Credit: Troy Hearn


68%

28%

50%

28%

23%

18%

3%

20%

25%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

A preliminary route in one of the prioritized corridors has …

A near-final route in one the prioritized corridors has been …

A state or local bicycle advocacy group has been engaged …

A process has been identified to officially designate the route

The route designation processis in progress

Awaiting approval from local government jurisdictions for …

An application for formal route recognition has been …

One or more USBR(s) has been officially designated by …

Other (please describe)


• Is there upper-level support in your state DOT for implementing the USBRS?

Credit: Troy Hearn


13%

26%

16%

16%

16%

0%

13%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Yes, upper management supports implementation and has pushed the project forward

Yes, upper management supports implementation, but has not pushed the project forward

Upper management will be supportive once a formal process for designation is established

Upper management is neither supportive nor dismissive of implementing the USBRS

Upper management is vaguely aware of the USBRS and our state's efforts to date

No, upper management does not support implementation

I do not know


• Do you feel that you have enough internal resources and support to pursue designation of a USBR in your state?

Credit: Troy Hearn


Yes 44%

There are some resources and support, but

more would be helpful

41%

No 15%


• Do you feel that you have enough external resources and support to pursue designation of a USBR in your state?

Credit: Troy Hearn


Yes 48% There are some

resources and support, but

more would be helpful

46%

No 6%


• Have you encountered any barriers you during the implementation process in your state?

Credit: Troy Hearn


Yes 58%

No 42%


• The MUTCD includes an official sign for the USBRS. Have you or are you planning on signing any existing or planned USBRs in your state? Check all that apply.

Credit: Troy Hearn


8%

23%

23%

3%

8%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

We have signed an existing route in our state

We are planning on signing a future route in our state

We are planning on signing an existing route in our state

We have not made a formal decision about signing routes in our state

We are not planning on signing future routes in our state

We are not planning on signing an existing route in our state


• Significant barriers:

• Lack of resources

• Lack of DOT priority

• Concerns over signs

• Resistance by other organizations

• Lack of interest by other organizations

• Liability concerns

• Potential requirement for roadway upgrades

Credit: Troy Hearn


• DOT worked with strong advocates to carry out most of process

• Greatly reduced DOT work

• Trusted volunteers did most of the outreach with DOT supporting

• Two routes have now been designated and partially signed

Credit Scott Anderson


• DOT has taken the lead role for designating USBR 50

• Route selected that had limited number of jurisdictions to work with

• Ohio DOT has more clout to meet with locals than a volunteer group

• No strong state advocate group

• Advocates only used locally where extra support needed

Credit: Troy Hearn


• MNDOT conducted extensive public outreach campaign

• Stakeholder issues when attempting to co-sign with another route (MRT)

• Marketing materials and guidance can benefit both DOT and locals

• Time spent developing partnerships can be valuable for other projects

• Over $1m invested in time & signs

Credit: Liz Walton


• Be aware of the national corridor plan

• Integrate the routes into local and regional plans when possible

• State plans should prioritize implementation of USBRs

Credit: Bonnie Winslow


• Upcoming study focused on:

• Signage: How are states signing their routes?

• Promotion: How are states promoting their routes?

• Report release in 2015

Credit: Liz Walton


Credit: Liz Walton


Route Designation & Implementation September 11, 2014

THE U.S. BIKE ROUTE SYSTEM

Credit: Troy Hearn Credit: Troy Hearn Credit: Tom Huber

@tooledesign

The U.S Bike Route System: Route Designation & Implementation

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