HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 B-CS Bicycle PlanLocal Regulations
THE BRYAN=
COLLEGE STATION
BICYCLE PLAN
Introduction
"Prepared in cooperation with the
U.S. Department of Transportation,
JIIIIf� I "• : Federal Highway Administration."
I;1> �I,��I � � � �� � �1� > > Sri.. •• �.�:•.. . •� •. -
I '�13�� f�`A 1:•:
The current energy crises, coupled with the economic situation, has encouraged an
accelerated return to the bicycle as a major mode of transportation. Locally,
increasing bicycle usage is evident, particularly on and around Texas A&M Univer-
sity campus. In 1975, approximately 10,000 bicycle trips were counted entering
and leaving the campus. For University students, bicycle transportation has be-
come a feasible alternate because of the increasing cost of purchasing parking
permits on campus and because of the limited parking spaces available. Recrea-
tional bicycle usage is also increasing, with the infusion of variable -speed
bicycles into the bicycle fleet. Physical fitness is also a major reason for
cycling. Local bike clubs compete in bikeathons, bike rodeos, and long - distance
races. In the public school systems, students living in areas near their assigned
schools are utilizing the bicycle as a mode of transportation where conflicts with
traffic can be minimized.
The purpose of this study is to define the potential role of the bicycle in the
transportation network of Bryan - College Station and to develop a plan to properly
provide suitable facilities for bike users.
Data Source
The public has become increasingly aware of the conflicts which exist between the
motorized modes of transportation and bicycle - pedestrian traffic. Citizen concern
has reached the point of actively participating in planning improved facilities
for bicycle users. Local organizations have initiated traffic studies and have
approached the City Councils for solutions to the bicycle problems. They are co-
operating with the Urban Transportation Study in the development of this Plan.
In May 1975, the Brazos County League of Women Voters adopted a mini -study of the
need for walkways and bikepaths in College Station. They surveyed pedestrian,
bicycle:, and motor vehicle traffic at 13 intersections used by school and Univer-
sity personnel on two separate days. They conducted a survey of school children
to determine their method of transportation to school_ and ownership of bicycles.
In cooperation with the Environmental Action Council and the Abdul Wheelmen, they
conducted a survey on campus to determine bicycle ridership data. This bike plan
is, to a large degree, based on their findings and recommendations.
The Bryan Planning Department surveyed students in the Bryan school system to de-
termine their methods of transportation to school and the extent of bicycle owner-
ship. In connection with this survey, an attitude questionnaire survey was con-
ducted to determine if an increasing of ridership would occur if suitable facili-
ties for bicycles were available. This survey revealed that bicycle ridership
could increase as much as 44% if improved bikeways were provided.
Texas AbM University's Urban Planning 601 Lab developed a Bryan - College Station
Bicycle Plan as a class project in the Fall of 1975. This study provided detailed
information relative to student bicycle ownership and registration data.
Information and data from each of these preliminary studies has been used as back-
ground for this Plan and statistics from the various studies are shown in tabular
form.
Goals & Objectives
The Bryan - College Station Bicycle Plan has one primary and three secondary goals.
Several objectives must be achieved in order to reach these goals. Primarily, the
Bicycle Plan must provide the framework for a program to reduce bicycle accidents
in the urban area. While the bicycle accident is onlya small percent of the total
accident occurrence in the area, it is one of the most tragic and severe types of
accident, almost always resulting in injury or death. As the use of the bicycle
as a mode of transportation increases, the accident rate involving bicycles will
certainly increase proportionately if preventive measures are not implemented.
A spin -off benefit of the goal of improved bicycle safety is that an increasing
number of potential riders, especially youngsters, may be encouraged to turn to
the bicycle as a serious mode of transportation. The school survey indicated that
approximately 69% of Bryan - College Station public school students own bicycles at
the present time. Many would -be riders are no doubt discouraged from using their
bicycles because of the hazards in crossing major arterial and collector streets
to reach their destinations.
The health and recreational benefits to be derived from bicycling are substantial.
Cycling has been referred to as the "perfect exercise." Bicycles offer mobility
in a re- latively inexpensive form at speeds comparable to auto travel in the urban
area. A secondary goal of this Study is to encourage bicycle travel for everyday
transportation, as well as recreation, sport, and physical fitness.
Underlying the total bicycle study, the basic need essential to an increasing
and safe bicycle ridership in Bryan - College Station is for a continuous bikeway
system which will accommodate intercity and inteacity travel. Recognizing that
the trip desires of bicyclists closely parallel those of the motorist, the Bryan -
College Station Bikeway System has been designated utilizing right of way of
existing streets where possible and supplementing these routes with off - system
bikeways through parks, floodplains, and available vacant lands.
Goals and objectives of this Bicycle Plan are summarized below:
SUMMARY OF TEXAS A&V BICYCLE REGISTRATION DATA
Fall 1.975
Total Bicycle Registration ............. 3,0491
Off- Campus Registration
College Station 1,3i.0
Bryan 384
On- Campus (Dorm) Registration .......... 1,332
A survey was taken at each school in Dryan and College Station to determine how
students were getting to school. The survey was based on a 70% sample of total
school enrollment. The percentage of students who rode their bicycles or walked
to school was substantially higher in College Station than in Bryan. This is due
in part to the fact that the College Station schools are primarily neighborhood
schools and students can reach them without crossing major arterials; while in
Bryan, a unitary system of education has been implemented and attendance above
grade four is assigned on a citywide, single• campus basis. 'Tabulation of student
response from the survey is shown below:
Bicyclist's Rules
All traffic laws apply to bicyclists riding on a street or road. It is unlawful
for bicyclists to do anything forbidden by law or fail to do anything required by
law. The following rules are intended to make bicycle riding safer and more en-
joyable in Bryan - College Station.
1 - Obey all traffic signs and signals.
2 - Warn other traffic when stopping or turning by giving required hand
signals.
3 - Always ride as near to the right side of road as possible and in the
same direction as motor vehicles.
4 - Be careful when passing parked vehicles or vehicles traveling in the
same direction.
5 - Not more than two bicycles may be riden side by side. It is safer to
ride single file.
6 - Do not ride double except on bicycles built for two persons.
7 - Ride only on the bicycle's regular seat.
8 - Do not hitch bicycle to motor vehicle.
9 - Do not carry packages that will obstruct vision or prevent keeping at
least one hand on the handlebars.
10 - Always be alert for traffic from all directions.
11 - Before leaving a driveway, alley, or when crossing streets, STOP, look
both ways, and grant right of way to motor vehicles and pedestrians.
12 - Let pedestrians go first at street crossings and on sidewalks.
13 - Get off the street or road and STOP when you hear sirens of emergency
vehicles.
14 - Do not race with others on a public street or road.
15 - Do not play riding games in the street or roadway.
16 - Always keep your bike in good condition. Every bike should have:
a. Brakes that will skid braked wheel on dry, level, clean surface.
b. For Nighttime: White light on front visible for 500 feet.
Red taillight visible for 500 feet.
Red reflector visible for 300 feet.
Major Deterrents
The major deterrents to cycling are high accident rates, bicycle theft, exposure
to automobile air pollutants, insufficient support facilities, and bad weather
conditions. A well - planned bikeway system can alleviate to some degree the high
accident rates, exposure to air pollutants, and insufficient support facilities.
A public education program can also aid both motorist and cyclist in developing a
sharing attitude with respect to the street network. One of the better solutions
is to separate the bicycle from motor vehicle travel as much as possible. This
can be done by the construction of bikeways.
Typical Sections
The term "bikeway" is an all- encompassing term which covers the full range of bike -
related facilities from fully separated travelways to those designated by signing
only. Within the classification of bikeways, there are three distinct classes
of facilities:
CLASS I ......... EXCLUSIVE BIKEWAYS
Those in which separate right of way ague
is designated for the exclusive or 8? .
semi - exclusive use of bicycles. This
bikeway provides the greatest degree
of separation between bicycles and A T7
other modes. No-K �
CLASS II ........... SHARED BIKEWAYS
Those in which the right of way is
shared with other forms of transpor-
tation, and the cyclist is protected
from conflicts, either through pave-
ment signing or physical barriers.
CLASS III .............. BIKE ROUTES
Those in which right of way is shared
by the cyclist and other vehicles and
are designated by signing only. This
bikeway is the least desirable from
the standpoint of safety; however, a 6 I
Class III bikeway provides safer con sas
ditions than no bikeway at a ll. o n1 y °'ly
nly
The Plan
The map on the opposite side shows the ultimate bikeway system proposed for the
Bryan - College Station area, as envisioned at this time. This system includes a
total of 10.15 miles of Class I Bikeway, 20.53 miles of Class II Bikeway, and
43.69 miles of Class III Bikeway in the cities of Bryan and College Station. In
addition, 6.7 miles of bikeway will be constructed by Texas A&M University on the
campus.
In addition to the bikeways, other facilities will be required to accommodate the
potential growth of the bicycle mode. An increasing amount of high- density resi-
dential development is projected to occur near the University to accommodate the
growing enrollment. Since a large percentage of off - campus bicycle usage is gen-
erated from the apartment complexes, it is logical to assume that the increase in
multi - family units will effect a corresponding increase in future bicycle usage.
Current traffic counts indicate that more than 6,200 bicycles cross University
Drive each day, destined for the campus. If additional bicycle traffic is added,
the capacity of the street to handle motor vehicles will be severely restricted,
and the danger to cyclists will increase significantly. Therefore, a bicycle
underpass is proposed under the initial phase of this plan to carry traffic under
University Drive from the northgate (married student housing) area of College Sta-
tion into the University campus.
In addition, the architectural development of the Campus has tended toward the
reorganization of the internal street system, creating a few major access points
and a heavy peripheral movement along the four arterial streets encircling the
campus proper. A computerized signal system is proposed to regulate the flow of
traffic around and into the Campus. Present methodology allows the detection of
motor vehicles by the signal system; however, some method must be developed to
allow the detection of bicycle and pedestrian movements.
The proposed system will link schools, parks, shopping centers, and major traffic
generators, including Texas A&M University, with major residential areas. It
will provide scenic bikeways for recreational use and direct routes for commuters.
It will offer varying lengths of bikepaths for novice and experienced riders.
This Plan, to remain an efficient planning tool, should be modified, extended and
amended on a regular basis to ensure that it remains currant as future development
and land use changes occur in Bryan - College Station.
Implementation
The ultimate bikeway system, as shown on the map, has been developed to serve the
existing and known proposed development in the urban area. To accomplish the ul-
timate system initially is impossible due to limitation in funding and impractical
because full development of the entire system is not warranted at this time. Thus
a stage development program has been planned. All proposed improvements have been
categorized into three phases of development. These are shown on the charts below:
The initial phase of development of the Bryan - College Station Bikeway System will
include the establishment and signing of the total bikeway system with a limited
amount of improved bikeways in areas of high demand. The proposed improvements
which will be undertaken by phases are as follows:
BRYAN - COLLEGE STATION I.MPROVEMfsN'TS
Type Improvement Length Cost
CLASS I BIKEWAYS 1.81 Mi. $ 29,022
CLASS II BIKEWAYS 9.39 Mi. 39,948
CLASS III BIKEWAYS 23.95 Mi. 11,079
STRUCTURE OVER BURTON CREEK - 6,000
UNDERPASS STRUCTURE 100,000
TOTAL COST -- INITIAL PHASE .................. $ 186,0491
SIDT tiV p 4` �lREET 61KL'
ut •ue 1 aaeRice ,� srr e n1r>e
/P '� UM1E W1.1�
5�-O 5-0" ��'1{IC1E AV�+111� }3A11b�1EfJ) S-o S-or
CLASS I BIKEAYS
CLASS II BIKEWAYS
CLASS III BIKEWAYS
2.60 Mi. 33,862
9.05 Mi. 26,410
12.35 Mi. 6,174
TOTAL COST -- PHASE TWO ...................... $ 66,4461
CLASS
I BIKEWAYS
5.74 Mi.
72,167
CLASS
II BII
2.09 Mi.
7,456
CLASS
III BIKEWAYS
7.39 Mi.
3,693
TOTAL
COST -- PHASE THREE
.................... $
83,316
TOT COST -- ULTIM B IIC E WA Y SYST ........ $ 335,811
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITI' IMPROVEMENTS
The inset map on the reverse of this sheet shows the Texas A&M conceptual bicycle
plan, as summarized at a meeting before the Texas A&M Traffic Panel on March 10,
1976. This plan was based on the transportation plan developed by Texas Trans-
portation Institute in 1973. It contains approximately 6.7 miles of improvements,
linking major campus entrances, dorm areas, and proposed bicycle parking lots.
The initial cost of the University's portion of the bikeway plan is $465,000. The
cost is divided according to the following priorities:
High Priority Routes ........ $ 175,000
Low Priority Routes ......... 290
The proposed bikeways will facilitate movement of up to 14,500 bicyclists daily,
(1986 estimate based on a decreased rate of growth in enrollment to 45,236). The
plan would complement existing bicycle parking lot locations, direct more orderly
flow of internal circulation; mitigate the increasing number of conflicts between
automobiles, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and provide an opportunity for making
long -range policy decisions concerning the use of inner campus streets and malls.
The City of Bryan adopted Ordinance No. 21.8, amending Chapter 5, "Bicycle Chapter"
of the Bryan City Code on March 9, 1976- This ordinance requires all bicycles to
be licensed under penalty of $200 fine.
For a $1.00 fee, a registration certi{icate is issued bearing the same number as
shown on bicycle tag, date of issuance, name and address of owner, and descrip-
tion of bicycle. A registration tag is required to be affixed to the bicycle so
that it is plainly visible.
In Bryan, all the State statutes pertaining to the operation of bicycles, such as
Article 6701d, Article XXI, shall apply and be enforced. Additionally, it shall
be unlawful to
1 - Ride a bicycle on a sidewalk which is located in front of any building
which immediately abuts the sidewalk and has doors permitting accesstD
the sidewalk from the building. This provision shall apply on all City
sidewalks and sidewalks of business establishments which are provided
for the convenience of their cu«tomers, clients, or patrons.
2 - Intentionally make any false st4tement or misrepresent any fact or con-
dition required to be made in the application.
In College Station, there is no mandatory bicycle registration requirement. The
operation of bicycles must conform to the Uniform Traffic Code.
Proposed bike regulations for the 1976-77 term were presented to the University
Traffic Panel on May 5; 1976. The general policy of the University will require
registration of all bicycles operated or parked on Campus. A registration fee of
$4.00 is charged per academic year.
All rules which normally apply to the safe operation of a bicycle will apply on
Campus and violations will be penalized by fine and possible revocation of regis-
tration permit. The University's Police Department has the authority to impound
bicycles parked illegally on Campus.
Bicycles are prohibited from operating on roadways, pedestrian sidewalks or malls
if a designated bikeway is provided by striping, signing, physical construction,
or other designated method. Where designated bike lanes are not provided, bicy-
cles may use roadway, pedestrian sidewalk or mall, if used in accordance with the
rights and rules accorded to operators of motor vehicles or pedestrians. On the
sidewalks, pedestrian traffic shall be granted right of way at all times.
Bicycles shall be parked on Campus only in available bicycle parking racks. The
location of the bikeracks is shown on the inset map on the back. If all racks
are filled, additional bicycles shall De parked as near as possible to the racks.
Bicycles shall not be chained nor locked in any manner to trees, shrubs, or light
fixtures or parked so as to obstruct normal flow of pedestrian or other traffic.
Accident Statistics
Since 1970, bicycle accidents in Bryan - College Station have increased 238 %. Two
fatalities were recorded in 1975 as a result of bicycle accidents. The statis-
tics indicate a worsening accident rate during the five year study period from
1970 through 1975. The increase in bicycle accidents no doubt reflects an in-
creasing bicycle ridership in Bryan - College Station. It also points out the in-
compatability of the bicycle with motorized vehicles on arterial and collector
streets.
The chart below indicates the in- Since 1970, accidents on the University
creasing accident problem in Bryan- Campus have accounted for 16% of the
College Station since 1970. total accident occurrence. High accident
locations are indicated on chart below.
ACCIDENT GRAPH The Universit Cam us and the f a -
50
40
30
20
10
1970 71 72 73 74
Traffic Data
On September 30, 1975, 70 volunteers from the League of Women Voters, Environmen-
tal Action Council, and the A&M Wheelmen Club monitored eleven entrances to the
main University Campus between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Results of
their vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian counts are shown below:
.... Motorists are very negligent in
their regard for the safety of
the bicyclist.
Existing Facilities
BRYAN .................... There are no existing marked bikeways in Bryan at the
present time. All. of the schools have bike racks.
C(LLECE STATION ......... Several strc�e�t in College Station have ho'r'n striped
and signed +is bi.lceways. however, theses do not conform
to AASHO standards for width and marlci.ng. At 1 schools
provide b iKe racks.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ..... Several bikeways have been established by the Univer-
sity on the main Campus. Bike racks are provided at
various locations on Campus.
The University's 601 Planning Lab conducted a study to provide data on bicycle
ownership by Texas ASP students. As of September 26, 1975, about 3,049 bicycles
were registered with the Campus. This is estimated to represent only 40 - 50% of
the total bicycles on Campus, based on an inventory of bicycles parked in racks
on Campus. Bicycle registration is a University requirement; however it is diffi-
cult to enforce because of limited police manpower. To date, the University has
not been able to accomplish full bicycle registration.
The Study showed that 1,332 bicycles, representing 44% of those registered, were
owned by dorm students. Based on a dorin capacity of approximately 8,500 students,
the figures indicate that approximately 15, of the dorm students have registered
bicycles. Off- campus registration totaled 1,694, with approximately 20`, of the
total located in Bryan. Seventy percent of the off- campus bicycles were owned by
residents of apartments or duplexes. The registration data is shown below:
J p our r
terial streets listed have experienced
47% of the total accidents in the urban
area since 1970.
No. Accidents i
Total Counts
Gate
Vehicle
Bicycle
Pedestrian
27
College Avenue
17
Jersey Street
1
'2,656
-
-
2
3
2,374
2,228
2,441
4
2,682
458
741
5
5,289
1. ,208
1,368
6
6,817
880
2,543
7
8,684
1,445
827
7 -A
71.3
-
-
8
9,114
576
179
9
10,850
1,200
117
10
3,555
612
150
11
4,696
1,151
171
12
601
-
-
13
4,570
130
348
13 -A
172
-
-
14
15
5,691
181
190
15 -A
3,312
15 -B
803
Total
72,579
10,069
9,075
Their
survey,
in addition
to der.Or-
mining the traffic volumes
into the
Campus, also revealed that
....
Bicyclists do not follow proper
rules of
traffic and
safety.
.... Motorists are very negligent in
their regard for the safety of
the bicyclist.
Existing Facilities
BRYAN .................... There are no existing marked bikeways in Bryan at the
present time. All. of the schools have bike racks.
C(LLECE STATION ......... Several strc�e�t in College Station have ho'r'n striped
and signed +is bi.lceways. however, theses do not conform
to AASHO standards for width and marlci.ng. At 1 schools
provide b iKe racks.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ..... Several bikeways have been established by the Univer-
sity on the main Campus. Bike racks are provided at
various locations on Campus.
The University's 601 Planning Lab conducted a study to provide data on bicycle
ownership by Texas ASP students. As of September 26, 1975, about 3,049 bicycles
were registered with the Campus. This is estimated to represent only 40 - 50% of
the total bicycles on Campus, based on an inventory of bicycles parked in racks
on Campus. Bicycle registration is a University requirement; however it is diffi-
cult to enforce because of limited police manpower. To date, the University has
not been able to accomplish full bicycle registration.
The Study showed that 1,332 bicycles, representing 44% of those registered, were
owned by dorm students. Based on a dorin capacity of approximately 8,500 students,
the figures indicate that approximately 15, of the dorm students have registered
bicycles. Off- campus registration totaled 1,694, with approximately 20`, of the
total located in Bryan. Seventy percent of the off- campus bicycles were owned by
residents of apartments or duplexes. The registration data is shown below:
J p our r
terial streets listed have experienced
47% of the total accidents in the urban
area since 1970.
JUNE 1976
No. Accidents i
Street
5 -Year Total
On TAMU Campus
27
College Avenue
17
Jersey Street
16
Texas Avenue
13
university Drive
A
JUNE 1976
S
r f
Yv .1
{ r
i
M
1 � ► F F
r � �•
f ���i i1 • • A� � ?° -, r' ,+r+. ."'irk' pia'•
a '
- N':
t
r #'4
r
!
Ile
A000!!g •! r F J ��/
�. '00 . J
,
+ .
,n y
• a
y
�arbrva��
AL
T ^4Y"
i
4
m
w. -•
• *5. �}{ i ��, � i �. � .�� •�. 4` .e ,� �,�. k.
� - �}a"1'� �� .':+ r{ a�•' � �, � •,,t �. ,.,r. mss• ` ".%,pr• ¢ w* e-
s _
1°
fi
v
�T